Implant Supported Dentures for Missing Teeth
Losing multiple teeth can affect both the appearance and function of your smile. Missing teeth may leave some patients feeling self-conscious and can make it more difficult to chew certain foods or speak comfortably. Extensive tooth loss can also contribute to changes in the gums, jawbone, and surrounding oral structures over time, making it important to consider options for restoring your smile and maintaining your oral health.
If you are missing several or all of your teeth, implant-supported dentures may provide an effective tooth replacement option. Unlike traditional removable dentures that rest directly on the gums, implant-supported dentures are secured using dental implants placed in the jawbone. This creates a more stable foundation for your replacement teeth and can provide greater comfort and confidence when eating and speaking.
Implant-supported dentures typically involve dental implant posts that function similarly to natural tooth roots, connecting components known as abutments, and a customized denture designed to restore the appearance and function of your smile. Depending on your individual needs, implant-supported dentures may be removable or fixed in place.
As a Greenville native and fourth-generation dentist, Dr. Preston Hamrick is proud to continue his family’s tradition of serving the community. He takes the time to build personal relationships with his patients, understand their individual needs and goals, and recommend treatment options tailored to their oral health.
Read on to learn more about implant-supported dentures, or call Heritage Dentistry today at 864.292.5125 to schedule a consultation or learn more about our services, including dental fillings, other restorative treatments, and tooth extractions.
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Benefits of Implant Supported Dentures
Implant supported dentures are a popular option for individuals who are missing a tooth or teeth. There are several reasons why implant supported dentures are so popular, which include the following:
- Provide the same type of stability and support as a natural tooth/tooth
- Anchored directly to your jawbone, just like natural teeth
- Long-lasting solution provided proper self-care is taken
- Restored ability to eat all kinds of food
- Improved ability to enunciate and speak without impedance
- Stimulates your jawbone like your natural tooth would, which prevents loss of jawbone
- Will not shift like traditional dentures
- Maintains the strength and shape of your jaw
- Adjustments are not necessary, which will save you time and money
- Alleviates stresses to the jaw that cause pain and/or limited mobility
- Restores the natural look and feel of your full smile
Healing Process and Maintenance
The healing process following placement of an implant generally takes 1-2 weeks. It is common to experience mild bleeding, swelling, and bruising around the implant site for the first 1-3 days following your procedure. Swelling and discomfort can be managed with over-the-counter medicine or prescribed painkillers and ice therapy, placing the ice on the area for 10-minute intervals. To help ensure a fast recovery time and avoid complications, be very gentle when cleaning around the treatment area and follow a soft food diet. On average, the pain and discomfort should subside after about 3-7 days, though you may still have lingering symptoms such as stiff jaw muscles or a sore throat.
Once you have completed the healing process and your permanent restoration has been placed, you will not need to modify your oral health care routine. So long as you brush and floss your teeth twice daily, eat a healthy diet, and lead a generally healthy lifestyle, your implants will last you for many years to come. We also encourage our clients to schedule regular dental cleanings at least every six months to ensure the health and sustained brightness of your smile. In addition to giving your teeth a professional cleaning, these visits are also an opportunity for Dr. Preston Hamrick to evaluate your overall oral health, as he looks for any indications of gum disease or any other underlying issue that may require treatment, and to monitor the health of your implant.
Implant Supported Dentures Process
When considering implant supported dentures, it is important to understand that the process of getting a dental implant(s) is just that: a process, one that will require multiple appointments stretched out over several months, or even up to one year. This process begins with an initial consultation with Dr. Hamrick, who will conduct a thorough oral examination to determine whether implant supported dentures are a viable treatment option for you. In certain cases, individuals may have lost too much jawbone to support an implant or have an underlying medical condition that affects their ability to build bone mass and heal, in which case alternative treatment options or procedural modifications may need to be pursued.
If implant supported dentures are a good fit for your needs, X-rays and images will be taken of your mouth, which will be used to create your personalized implant treatment plan and timeline. At your next appointment, Dr. Hamrick will first clean your mouth, then numb the area to reduce or eliminate discomfort. Dental sedation will also be available to ensure you remain comfortable throughout the procedure. Next, Dr. Hamrick will make a small incision in your gums to access the jawbone. Next, a hole is drilled into the bone, and the implant is placed. Once the post is properly positioned, we will clean, disinfect, and suture the area shut.
Before we can place the denture, you will first need to wait for the post to fully fuse with your jawbone, which can take anywhere from 3-6 months. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled during this healing period so Dr. Hamrick can monitor your progress. Your customized restoration will also be crafted during this period.
Once the post is fused, you will return for your final visit, when your restoration is permanently attached to your implant. Once attached, you can begin to enjoy having a bright, full smile right away!
Cost of Implant Supported Dentures
The total cost of treatment will depend on the number of implants needed and whether additional procedures such as tooth extraction, bone grafting, or treatment of periodontal disease are necessary prior to placement of your implant(s).
For patients with dental insurance, the total cost of implant supported dentures will depend on whether the procedure is covered under your plan, and if so, how much is covered. Our staff is happy to review your coverage to determine whether your plan does cover the procedure and ensure you maximize your benefits and have minimal out-of-pocket expenses.
If you are a patient at our practice and do not have dental insurance, consider joining our membership club. Because we value your loyalty, we have launched this club to help save you money on treatment and simplify payments for preventative care. We offer three levels of membership: child, adult, and perio membership. Professional dental cleanings, doctor exams, necessary X-rays, and a 5% discount on all other treatment (some exclusions apply) are included in all membership packages.
You can sign up today and start saving money on treatment online or call us at (864) 292-5125.
For your convenience, we accept all forms of credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
Fall in Love with Your Smile Again
At Heritage Dentistry in Greenville, South Carolina, we are committed to providing exceptional, relationship-based dental care centered around each patient’s individual needs and goals. With a comprehensive range of restorative and implant dentistry options, our team can help you explore solutions designed to support your oral health and restore the function and appearance of your smile.
To schedule a consultation and determine whether you may be a candidate for implant-supported dentures, contact our Greenville dental team today at (684) 292-5125.
Learn More About Our Services
- All on 4 Dental Implants
- Bone Grafting
- Children's Dentistry
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Dental Bonding
- Dental Bridge
- Dental Cleanings
- Dental Crowns
- Dental Exams
- Dental Fillings
- Dental Implants
- Dentist
- Dentures
- Family Dentistry
- Full Mouth Dental Implants
- Gum Contouring
- Gum Grafting
- Implant Supported Dentures
- Invisalign
- Periodontal Therapy
- Porcelain Veneers
- Root Canals
- Scale and Root Planing
- Sedation Dentistry
- Teeth Whitening
- Tooth Extractions