Collaborative Care for Lifelike Implant-supported Dentures
Dentures can help restore your smile if you are missing most or all of your teeth. If you are looking for the most secure and long-lasting solution, consider implant-supported dentures. Santa Fe, NM, oral surgeons Dr. Sean M. Healy and Dr. Diego Hurtado can coordinate with your general dentist to ensure that your implant-supported dentures are both functional and lifelike. Using our advanced CAT scans and other technology, he will also determine which method of implant placement is right for you.
Types of Dentures
Dentures are sets of custom-made prosthetic teeth that can dramatically help patients who are missing most or all of their teeth. At Oral Surgery and Dental Implant Center of Santa Fe, we offer several types of implant-supported dentures. Compared to traditional dentures, implant-supported dentures stay in place without dental adhesive, reducing the risk of discomfort or embarrassing slips.
What Are Implant-supported Dentures?
Implant-supported dentures are available as both full and partial restorations. This type of denture will snap directly onto dental implants, small posts that are surgically placed in your jaw. The implants will replicate the function of dental roots, providing an extremely stable base for your prosthetic.
In contrast, traditional dentures are removable with a flesh-colored plastic base that will fit around your gums. If you have a partial traditional denture, it will typically have small metal clips that will attach to your nearby teeth.
Dr. Healy will work closely with your dentist and lab technicians to ensure that your denture is a near-perfect match to your natural teeth.
What to Expect When You Receive Dentures
Dr. Healy will carefully evaluate your jawbone structure to determine the most suitable method of implant placement. In many cases, he will use the All-on-4® technique. With this method, he will place four or more implants at a 45-degree angle in your jaw. This technique can reduce the need for bone grafting, while still providing a secure base for your denture. In other cases, Dr. Healy may recommend zygomatic implants or another method of placement.
In some cases, you may need to wait several months after your surgery to begin wearing your new denture. However, in other instances, Dr. Healy can provide same-day dental implants. You will leave the office wearing a temporary restoration and when you have fully healed, you will come back in to receive your permanent denture. Dr. Healy will work closely with your dentist and lab technicians to ensure that your denture is a near-perfect match to your natural teeth. He will also make sure that the restoration fills out your face to give you a younger, rejuvenated appearance. Finally, he will ensure that your denture does not affect your bite and alignment of your jaw.
The Benefits of Implant-supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures offer significant advantages over traditional restorations. First, they can more effectively restore your dental function. Because they will be attached to permanent implant posts, they will never slip in your mouth. As a result, you will be able to eat an unrestricted diet and enjoy all your favorite foods. You can also speak and smile more confidently.
Implant-supported dentures also have a more realistic appearance. They will rest snugly against your gums, and they do not involve metal clips, plastic bases, or denture adhesive. Perhaps most importantly, implants can prevent bone recession. When you are missing teeth, your dental roots no longer stimulate the growth of strong, healthy bone tissue. By replacing your tooth roots, implants emit the necessary restorative signals and preserve the health of your jaw.
Contact Us to Learn More
Whether you are interested in dentures for the first time or want to convert your existing denture into an implant-supported prosthetic, contact our office today.
