If you’re missing several teeth, you already know how much it affects your daily life. Chewing becomes a challenge. Speaking takes more effort. And traditional dentures, while helpful, can slip and shift at the worst possible moments. But there’s another option that offers more stability and security: implant-supported dentures. And for many patients, they’re a game-changer.
What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?
An implant-supported denture is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a denture that’s anchored by dental implants instead of relying on suction or adhesive to stay in place. We place a small number of implants into your jawbone. These implants act like roots for the denture. The denture itself snaps onto or attaches to those implants. Once it’s in place, it doesn’t move or slip. It stays exactly where it should.
Some implant-supported dentures are removable, meaning you take them out at night to clean them. Others are fixed permanently in place and can only be removed by a dentist.
How This Differs From Traditional Dentures
Traditional dentures rest on your gums. They stay in place through suction, gravity, and sometimes adhesive. For some patients, they work well. But for many, they come with frustrations.
They slip when you talk. They shift when you eat. Food gets trapped underneath. And over time, as your jawbone shrinks, they fit less and less securely.
Implant-supported dentures solve those problems. Because they’re anchored to implants in your bone, they don’t move. You can bite into an apple without worrying. You can laugh without holding your hand over your mouth.
The Bone Loss Problem
When you lose teeth, the bone that supported those teeth starts to shrink. That’s because your jawbone needs the stimulation of chewing to maintain its density. Without tooth roots, that stimulation disappears.
Traditional dentures don’t stop bone loss. They sit on top of your gums and don’t stimulate the bone underneath. Over time, that bone continues to shrink, which is why dentures become looser and looser.
Implants are different. They’re placed directly into the bone and function like natural tooth roots. That means they provide the stimulation your jawbone needs to stay healthy. Implant-supported dentures can actually help preserve your bone.
The Process
Getting implant-supported dentures takes several steps over a few months:
- First, we evaluate your mouth with imaging to determine how many implants you need and where to place them. Most patients need four to six implants for a full arch.
- Then we place the implants. This is a surgical procedure, but you’re numb for it, so you shouldn’t feel pain.
- You’ll have a healing period of a few months while the implants integrate with your bone.
- Once you finish healing, we create your custom denture and attach it to the implants.
Who’s a Good Candidate
Most adults with multiple missing teeth are candidates for implant-supported dentures. You do need enough healthy bone to support the implants. If you don’t, we can sometimes perform a bone graft first.
You also need to be committed to good oral hygiene. Implants can fail if plaque builds up around them.
A Life-Changing Difference
Patients who switch from traditional dentures to implant-supported dentures often tell us the same thing. They wish they’d done it sooner. They can eat what they want, speak with confidence, and not worry about their dentures slipping.
Restore Your Bite Today With Implant-Supported Dentures
If you’ve been struggling with traditional dentures or you’re facing multiple tooth loss, implant-supported dentures are worth considering.
Our team at AH Smiles serves patients from Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Long Grove, Deerfield, and Northbrook. Give us a call or request an appointment online. We’ll talk about your options and help you find the solution that’s right for you.