If you are missing most or all of your teeth, or your dentist indicates that you must have your dentition removed, it might be very unsettling. You might be worried not only about the functionality of any proposed solutions, but also about the aesthetics of your face and smile. Don’t worry, your dentist will have several solutions to fix your ability to eat nutritious food and to restore the look of your smile! These solutions are not just limited to traditional removable dentures. In fact, removable dental prostheses – the conventional 'dentures' – may not always be the most appropriate solution! There is also implant supported dentures.
Currently, Implant-Supported dentures, by relying on dental implants and not on the gums, provide an alternative for those people for whom conventional removable prostheses are not the best option. Implant supported dentures are full replacement teeth that are affixed to your gums through implants, which are tiny posts that are surgically implanted into your jawbone and once healed, become a part of the bone through a process known as osseointegration.
There are two types of prostheses on implants for patients with complete absence of teeth. They are fixed and removable prostheses. Both modalities do not move, completely restore the efficiency and freedom of mastication, providing more comfort and peace of mind to patients. Indication of the type of prosthesis to be used depends on the arch being treated and the amount of bone that was lost. For the lower arch, the most common modality is a fixed bridge with 12 teeth supported by 6 or 5 implants.
Who are implant-supported prostheses indicated for?
These may be a suitable option for those people who do not have any teeth or who have only a few natural or prosthetic teeth and who have enough bone to support implant placement. In addition, they can also be an excellent option for those people who have difficulties with the stability of their prostheses. Even if you need to graft bone in order to strengthen those areas where the implants will be placed, you may still be a candidate for the placement of Implant-Supported Dental Prostheses.
What are the advantages of using implant-supported prostheses?
Implant-Supported Dental Prostheses provide a high degree of stability and comfort. On the other hand, the process itself is relatively quick, involving only two phases: 1) the placement of the implants, and 2) the placement of the Prosthesis. The advantages of this solution compared to removable prostheses (conventional dentures) can be listed as follows:
- Prevent bone loss
- Provide an aesthetic improvement
- Improved stability by reducing or eliminating prosthetic movements
- Less abrasion on the gum
- Strengthens biting and chewing
- Better retention and support
- Improved speech due to the smaller size of the prosthesis
- General improvement in quality of life
How do I take care of my implant-supported prostheses?
Caring for Implant-Supported Dentures is relatively simple and does not usually require much maintenance. Our specialists will also be careful to explain the care to be taken depending on your particular case and the fixation system used.