When most Manhattan residents think about dental implants, they think about the tooth replacement system in which titanium implants are inserted into the mouth, and then covered with realistic-looking teeth that stay in place permanently and do not come out. But, did you know that dental implants could also be used to support dentures? Called dental implant supported dentures, this tooth replacement treatment plan can be an option for Manhattan dental patients who need a lower, upper or full mouth restoration.
What is a Dental Implant Supported Denture?
An implant-supported denture is, at its simplest, exactly what it sounds like – a lower or upper denture that is attached to the mouth via dental implants. An implant-supported denture is used when a patient is missing the lower, upper, or all of their teeth, but still has enough jawbone to have dental implants placed. Implant-supported dentures are most commonly made for the lower jaw, because lower dentures are most likely to slip and slide when you eat and speak, though they can also be made for the upper jaw, too.
How Are Implant-supported Dentures Placed?
There are two different ways that implant-supported dentures are placed:
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Bar-retained Dentures
With bar-retained dentures, 2 to 5 dental implants are placed into your jawbone to hold a thin, curved metal bar that runs along the length of your jaw. This thin bar typically has clips or another attachment device. The denture is then placed into the mouth over the thin metal bar and clipped into place.
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Ball-retained Dentures
Ball-retained dentures are another implant-supported denture type. With ball-retained dentures, dental implants are placed into the jawbone and then fitted with ball-shaped attachments. The corresponding dentures have 1 socket for each dental implant ball, allowing the dentures to be securely fastened into place.
How Do Implant-supported Dentures Differ from Regular Dental Implants?
Even though implant-supported dentures have dental implants, patients in Manhattan should know that they differ from regular dental implants in the following ways:
- Regular dental implants are a permanent, non-removable treatment option. Implant-supported dentures, however, must be removed daily, and you cannot sleep with implant-supported dentures in your mouth.
- Implant-supported dentures contain prosthetic gums, while regular dental implants do not.
- Implant-supported dentures are a full arch of teeth, while regular dental implants are covered by single or multiple tooth-looking crowns, but not one, full, continuous arch.
- Implant-supported dentures typically require multiple surgeries, while a full mouth restoration with regular dental implants (or All-on-4 dental implants) can be completed in just one day.
How Can I Learn More About Dental Implant supported Dentures?
If you are a Manhattan resident who is missing all of your teeth, or your remaining teeth cannot be salvaged, then you likely have a lot of questions about your different teeth replacement options. You may currently be thinking about getting regular dentures, regular dental implants or implant-supported dentures. If so, we highly recommend that you speak with an experienced professional, like Manhattan periodontist Dr. Kissel, about your treatment choices. After a full consultation and examination with Dr. Kissel, we are confident that you will be armed with all the information needed to make an informed choice for yourself.
To schedule a full mouth restoration consultation with Dr. Kissel, contact his Manhattan periodontal office today.
During this consultation, Dr. Kissel will perform the oral examination and tests that determine what type of dental implants you are eligible for, explain the dental implant procedure to you, and answer all your questions. If you’re ready to replace your smile with natural-looking, functional dental implants, then call Dr. Kissel’s office in New York City for a consultation at (212) 702-9088 or book online.
