Implant Dentures – Lockport, IL

What Are Implant Dentures?

Implant dentures are commonly made of titanium and look similar to small screws. Fitting within the jawbone to create a solid base for one’s smile, they mimic the function of tooth roots, stimulating the bone so that it does not collapse over time.

These posts are capable of supporting a full denture once they properly fuse into place. When ready, their maximum stability will allow for secured attachment of a fixed or removed denture – something patients and our dentists go over during an initial consultation.

Fixed/Permanent Implant Dentures

As a hybrid prosthesis, fixed implant dentures cannot be removed by anyone other than a skilled implant dentist. Held in place using between 4 and 6 dental implants, a person must have good jawbone density to support this type of prosthetic.

Removable Implant Dentures

As a “Snap-On denture,” these removable teeth can be easily removed when it is time for an individual to clean their teeth. Held into place with a ball- or bar-retained device, the denture snaps into place to create a full, healthy smile. It only needs 2-5 implant posts, so having much jawbone density is not necessary.

The Implant Denture Process

Placing dental implants is a multi-step process that requires complete commitment from patients. This replacement does not happen in a matter of days or weeks but instead months or even a year. Patience is necessary to ensure that each phase is successful before moving on to the next.

• Initial Consultation – The patient will meet with our implant dentist to discuss the degree of tooth loss. Evaluating their oral and overall health as well as their jawbone density, our dentists will formulate a plan that may or may not include additional treatments, as it is dependent on the status of the individual’s jawbone and overall health.
• Dental Implant Surgery – With the procedure occurring in-house, patients do not need to leave to undergo dental implant surgery. Instead, when ready, the appropriate number of implant posts will be placed before gum tissue is closed and healing caps are put into place.
• Osseointegration/Abutments – Allowing the implants to fuse with the jawbone is essential, and it can take 4-6 months to complete. When ready, patients return to our dental office to receive their abutments, which are connector appliances that help hold the denture in place.
• Final Restoration – To complete the process, the last step is for the individual to receive their custom-made denture. Whether fixed or removable, our team will discuss how it works and ways to ensure optimal oral hygiene moving forward.

Am I a Candidate for Implant Dentures?

It is unlikely that any adult suffering from complete tooth loss will not be considered a candidate for implant dentures. While it is possible that additional dental treatments will first need to occur (i.e., bone grafting, gum disease treatment, tooth extraction), it is still possible for implant dentures to be the final result.

A complete consultation must occur, however, to ensure the status of one’s oral and overall health. Depending on the type of denture a patient wishes to receive, the density of their jawbone will be considered.

Benefits of Combining Dentures & Dental Implants

Dentures and dental implants coming together to create a longer-lasting prosthetic is an idea that was once only a dream. However, now that science and research have made it possible for patients to enjoy a more stable and functional smile as a result of these titanium posts, their incorporation into the dental world allows for improved oral health among patients suffering from tooth loss.

Some of the most valuable benefits of combining these two forms of tooth replacement include:

• The opportunity to eat all types of food without concern
• Teeth that will remain in place for 30+ years
• The ability to speak clearly, not slur one’s words
• Improved oral health because of how easy it is to keep new teeth clean
• Greater comfort because dental implants look and feel like natural teeth