Overview of dental implant supported
denture
Implant supported denture implants
are placed in the bone of your jaw towards the front of your mouth. This
is where you have the greatest amount of bone in your jaw and this area
has fewer nerves that could affect the placement of the implants.
Healthy and sufficient bone is required for any dental implant
procedure, so your doctor will first verify that you have enough bone
for dental implants. Tooth loss leads to bone loss where the missing
tooth or teeth are, so it is important to make certain there isn't too
much bone loss. If there is significant bone loss, bone grafting can be
done to the area and in time will hopefully provide enough bone in your
jaw to sustain an implant. The time frame to complete the actual implant
will vary but six months is common. It may take less time if the dental
implant is being placed in your lower jar and more if in the upper jaw.
Bone grafting could add as much as six months to the over all time.
After you've made the decision to
have a dental implant supported denture, your dentist will take X-rays
and create impressions of your teeth. A computed tomography (CT) scan of
your mouth to determine the exact position of your sinuses and nerves is
common. This will also show that enough bone is available serve as a
guide for the ideal locations for the dental implants. From the
impressions of your teeth and gums your dentist will make a temporary
denture.
The dental implant procedure involves two surgeries. The first will be
to place the actual dental implant and the second will be to expose the
top of the implant. After the first surgery the implant itself will be
below your gum and not exposed. There are "immediate load" implants that
comprise of only one surgery where the implant is placed and the
supporting bar is placed in one step. This is becoming more common and
has a high rate of success.
For the first surgery an incision is made in your gum where the implant
will be placed. A hole is then drilled in your jawbone and the implant
is placed into the hole. The incision in your gum is then stitched
closed. After three to five weeks you can wear your temporary denture.
Your dentist will give the denture what is called a "soft reline" which
is to provide a new lining next to your gums. Over the next four to five
months the implant will attach and fuse (osseointegration) to your bone and the second
surgery will be scheduled.
Once your dentist confirms that the implant is well fused in the bone,
the second surgery will be to uncover the tops of the implants. A collar
called a healing abutment will be placed on top of each implant head.
The collar promotes proper gum growth and will be worn for about two
weeks. at this time your temporary denture may need another adjustment
because of the abutments. About two weeks after the surgery you'll have
the healing abutments removed and the regular abutments will be placed.
Another impression will now be done to make a model of your mouth with
the abutments in place. Your new denture will now be made. A bar will be
placed on the dental implants and your new denture will be placed to see
if the fit is correct. The denture will not yet have the teeth attached.
If the try-in of your new denture
shows a proper fit, the teeth will be attached and the whole denture
will be tried-in. If all is well the denture will be attached to the bar
or ball attachments (depending on the type) and will be secured.
You will want to save your temporary
denture and have it relined at this point to keep as a back-up denture.
Next: Different
types of false teeth
- Introduction to denture section
- Dental implant supported denture - an overview
- When are dental implant supported denture a possible solution?
- Procedure description: dental implant
supported denture
- Dental implant supported
denture & false teeth - different types
- How much do dental implant supported denture cost?
- Things to consider - Pros and cons of
getting dental implant supported denture
- Before and after photos - dental implant
supported denture
- Personal stories from people who
have dental implant supported denture
- Discuss dental implant supported denture on the
implant dentistry message board
  
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