Implant Dentures — Grand Island, NE

What Are Implant Dentures?

While many people have heard of dentures and even dental implants, they may not be as familiar with implant dentures. Implant dentures are dentures that attach to the mouth with the assistance of dental implants that are permanently secured to your jawbone. Implant dentures are a great choice for patients who want a more permanent smile, but without the investment of individual dental implants.

Implant dentures provide a much more lifelike, comfortable and functional smile than traditional dentures. Depending on your individual needs, your dentist may recommend one of two types of implant dentures.

Fixed/Permanent Implant Dentures

Fixed dentures or “hybrid prosthesis” are designed to stay securely in place and can only be removed by your dentist. They are attached to your jaw via four to six strategically placed dental implants. Many patients prefer this type of denture because they can forget their teeth are prosthetic. This type of implant denture requires more jawbone density, so you must have healthy bones to qualify for treatment.

Removable Implant Dentures

Removable or “snap on” dentures are still attached to the jaw with dental implants, but they use bar-retained clips or ball sockets so that you can easily remove them when you need to. While they still do need to be removed daily for cleaning, they usually only need two to five implants.

The Implant Denture Procedure

At Stec & Stines Cosmetic & Family Dentistry, we proudly place dental implants for your new implant dentures right here in house. Your journey begins with a consultation with your dentist to go over your oral and overall health, the type of implant denture that’s best for you, and any preliminary treatments you may need.

Once any necessary preliminary treatment is complete and your mouth is healed, you will be scheduled for your implant procedure. Healing from dental implant surgery takes a few months, but once they have successfully implanted into your jaw via a process called osseointegration, your abutments can be placed. Healing from the abutment procedure is much shorter, and once complete, you’ll be ready for your new denture!

Though this is a longer process than traditional dentures, the beautiful, functional smile you will receive is well worth the wait.

Am I a Candidate for Implant Dentures?

Most adults who are in good oral and overall health are excellent candidates for implant dentures, especially those who are frustrated with dealing with traditional dentures.

At your consultation, we’ll go over your specific needs and goals before explaining your options and your dentist’s recommendations. To be a good candidate, you’ll need to be in good enough health to undergo minor surgery, and your smile must be free of oral health problems like cavities or gum disease.

You will also need to have a dense enough jawbone for your desired type of implant denture (removable dental implants require less jawbone density and fewer dental implants). If necessary, we can help you schedule a bone graft or sinus lift to help prepare your mouth for your beautiful new smile.

Benefits of Combining Dentures & Dental Implants

Though implant dentures cost a bit more and take a longer time to get than traditional dentures, their benefits over old-fashioned dentures are undeniable. These include:

• No worrying that your prosthetics could slip or fall out while eating or speaking.
• More durable than traditional dentures.
• Provides greater biteforce, allowing you to eat a wider range of healthy foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, and tough proteins like steak.
• Easier to clean than traditional dentures.
• Prosthetics last longer than traditional dentures.
• More cost effective than individual dental implants.