Implant Dentures – South Portland, ME
We Can Securely Rebuild Your Smile
According to the American College of Prosthodontists, around 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth. Dentures are the most traditional way to replace multiple teeth at once, but they tend to slip if they don’t fit properly. If you want your new smile to stay secure, you can get a denture anchored to reliable dental implants here at Gannett Drive Dental. Call us today to schedule a consultation to see if implant dentures are the best choice for your smile.
Why Choose Gannett Drive Dental for Implant Dentures?
- Entire Dental Implant Process Performed In-House
- Team That Prioritizes Your Comfort
- Flexible Options for Financing
What Are Implant Dentures?
An implant denture is a full or partial denture attached to several implant posts that have been surgically placed in your jaw. Dental implants are the only type of tooth replacement that can mimic the roots of your missing teeth, which gives your new smile additional stability and chewing power; as a result, you’ll be able to enjoy all of the crunchy and chewy foods that might give traditional denture-wearers trouble.
There are two main kinds of implant dentures that we may recommend based on your needs:
Fixed/Permanent Implant Dentures
A fixed implant denture will stay in your mouth at all times; only your dentist will be able to remove it. This type of denture requires more dental implant posts, so it’s a better option for patients who have higher levels of bone density in their jaws.
Removable Implant Dentures
You can take out a removable implant denture for daily cleanings. Usually, fewer implant posts are needed to support a removable denture, which may make it a more viable choice for patients with lower jawbone density.
The Implant Denture Process
At your initial consultation, we’ll confirm whether you’re a candidate for implant dentures and put together a treatment plan based on your needs. On the day of implant surgery, we’ll place about four to six implant posts in your jaw. The implants will gradually fuse with your jawbone over the course of about three to six months; once they’ve essentially become part of your mouth, we can attach a metal connector piece called an abutment to each post.
The final step is to design and place the final restoration. We’ll take an impression of your mouth, which will be used to design a bridge, crown, or denture that matches your remaining natural teeth. Once your restoration is ready, we’ll use the abutments to attach it to your implants and complete your new smile.
Am I a Candidate for Implant Dentures?
To be considered a candidate for implant dentures, you need to have:
- A jawbone that’s dense enough to support the posts.
- A mouth that’s free of gum disease and other oral health issues.
- The ability to maintain good oral hygiene after you receive your implant posts.
If you’re not currently qualified for dental implants, you may still be able to have the procedure done after preliminary treatments like bone grafting; we can discuss the details during your initial consultation.
Benefits of Combining Dentures & Dental Implants
By using dental implants to hold your dentures in place, you can enjoy several important benefits, such as:
- Improved biting power that lets you enjoy a wide variety of foods
- Clearer speech due to new teeth that don’t slip
- Easy maintenance
- Implant posts that actively prevent bone loss in the jaw
- A longer lifespan compared to traditional dentures