There comes a time in many patients’ lives when dentures become necessary in order to maintain a beautiful, toothy smile. However, with traditional dentures come fears of gum irritation, tedious maintenance, dietary restrictions, and the possibility of dentures falling out at dinner. Grant Park denture dentist Dr. Abbey Lee recommends implant-retained dentures as the ideal solution for these common fears.

Dental implants are surgically placed into viable jawbone to create a secure attachment site for dentures. Dr. Lee custom creates each set of prosthetic teeth to provide patients with a natural looking smile. Aside from providing a solid anchor for an entire dental arch, implants are ideal for replacing a single missing tooth, as well as multiple missing teeth.

Are you ready to make the switch to implant-retained dentures? Call 404-328-7177 today to schedule your appointment with Atlanta, GA implant dentist Dr. Lee.

What Are Implant-Retained Dentures?

Before placing titanium implant posts in the jaw, Dr. Lee will examine the health of your gums and the strength of your jawbone. To qualify for this procedure, you must have healthy gums and a strong, sturdy jawbone to support the implants. In some cases, the dentist may recommend bone grafting to improve your jawbone density before implant placement.

Implant-retained dentures usually require four dental posts to fully support the prosthetic. Once the dental implants are placed, expect four to six months for ample healing. In this time, osseointegration will occur, simply meaning the posts will become one with the bone tissue.

While your dental implants are healing, Grant Park denture dentist Dr. Lee will fabricate your customized dentures. She can create partial or full dentures to attach to the implants. Dentures are created to resemble natural teeth; therefore your dental work will remain unnoticeable to others.

At a follow-up appointment, Dr. Lee will examine the osseointegration and securely snap your dentures onto the implants.

Traditional vs. Implant Dentures

Now that you understand how implant-retained dentures work, you might be wondering why you should choose them over traditional dentures. Unlike traditional, implant-retained dentures don’t require dietary restrictions. The prosthetic device securely attaches to posts, eliminating the possibility of slippage, even when chewing. Patients who receive implants before dentures are free to enjoy their favorite foods, without fear of embarrassment during mealtime.

Traditional dentures are adhered with dental adhesive. This is often messy and troublesome, yet with implants there isn’t a need for adhesive. Implant-retained dentures simply snap onto the posts. This makes maintenance a breeze. Dr. Lee recommends removing the dentures each night so that your gums can rest while you sleep. Before going to bed, brush your gums with a toothbrush and toothpaste to remove bacteria and food particles. Brush the prosthetic teeth and the implants, as well. It’s beneficial to floss around each implant to remove harmful or abrasive particles that could lead to infection.

Patients who invest in implant-retained dentures don’t experience gum irritation like traditional denture patients do. Because the prosthetic device is attached to implants, it never sits on the gums. Furthermore, there isn’t any shifting or slipping. The dentures will remain in position – you can count on them!

For more information on implant-retained dentures, call 404-328-7177 today to schedule your appointment with Grant Park denture dentist Dr. Lee in Atlanta, GA. We look forward to hearing from you.