Transform Your Smile With St. Louis County Dental

Improve your ability to eat and speak with confidence with implant-supported dentures! This dental procedure is perfect if you’ve lost multiple teeth or require full-mouth restoration. Instead of relying on traditional dentures that sit on top of your gums, implant-supported dentures are anchored into your jawbone with titanium screws, providing a secure and comfortable fit. At our St. Louis, MO, dental office, we can help kickstart your implant-supported dentures journey. 

Call (314) 762- 6784 to schedule your consultation with our dentists in St. Louis today!

What Are Implant Supported Dentures?

Implant-supported dentures are natural-looking dentures that rely on dental implants for support and stability, offering a more secure and comfortable alternative to traditional dentures. Compared to conventional dentures, implant-supported dentures are significantly more stable and comfortable, providing a solution that feels more natural and helps preserve bone health, unlike conventional dentures which can lead to bone loss and discomfort over time.

Implant-supported dentures connect to dental implants through various attachment mechanisms, such as ball-and-socket or bar-and-clip systems. This connection provides a more secure fit than traditional dentures, which rely on suction and adhesives. Since they’re anchored to the jaw, they are less likely to shift or slip, especially while eating or speaking.

Benefits of Implant Supported Dentures

Implant-supported dentures offer numerous benefits over traditional dentures, such as:

• Improved Stability: Compared to a conventional denture, implant-supported dentures offer stability that closely mimics natural teeth. They are anchored to dental implants, which are surgically inserted into the jawbone, providing a stable and secure fit that significantly reduces the likelihood of dentures slipping or moving during eating, speaking, or other activities. This reliability of a tighter fit highlights the advantage over conventional dentures, which can often feel loose and less secure.
• Enhanced Comfort: With the stability provided by implants, these dentures typically cause less irritation or discomfort in the gums and mouth. The absence of adhesives and reduced denture movement contribute to a more comfortable experience.
• Improved Speech: Traditional dentures can shift or move during speech, potentially causing slurring or lisps. Implant-supported dentures remain in place, allowing for clearer speech and greater confidence in social situations.
• Preservation of Jawbone Density: Dental implants stimulate the jawbone, helping to prevent bone loss that typically occurs with traditional dentures. This stimulation is crucial for maintaining jawbone density and structure, reducing the risk of facial sagging and other effects of bone loss.
• Reduced Need for Adhesives: Traditional dentures often require adhesives to stay in place, which can be messy and inconvenient. Implant-supported dentures generally don’t need adhesives, simplifying maintenance and cleaning.
• Long-Term Durability: Implant-supported dentures are durable and, with proper care, can last for many years. The dental implants themselves are designed to be a permanent solution, providing a reliable foundation for dentures.
• Natural Teeth Replication: Implant-supported dentures aim to replicate the appearance and functionality of natural teeth, unlike conventional dentures. They provide stability, comfort, and the ability to eat a wide variety of foods, fully replacing the function and appearance of natural teeth and preserving bone health to prevent premature aging.

Implant-supported dentures are a great option if you want to transform and preserve your smile for a lifetime. At St. Louis County Dental, we’ll help determine if implant-supported dentures are the best option for you. Call us at (314) 762- 6784 to get started.

The Implant Supported Dentures Process

Consultation and Evaluation

The first step is to meet with one of our St. Louis dentists. They’ll evaluate your dental health and discuss your goals for treatment. This evaluation typically includes a thorough examination, dental X-rays, and 3D imaging or CT scans to assess bone density and structure.

Treatment Planning

Based on the evaluation, the dentist will create a customized treatment plan that outlines the number of implants required, their placement, and the type of denture that will be supported (bar-retained or ball-retained). The plan might also include details on temporary dentures or other transitional steps during the healing process.

Implant Placement Surgery

The implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone in a minimally invasive procedure, often done while you’re under local anesthetic. The number of implants depends on the type of denture. 

After surgery, a healing period allows for osseointegration, where the bone fuses with the implants. This can take several months. During this healing period, temporary or transitional dentures might be provided to maintain appearance and functionality.

Once the implants have fully integrated with the jawbone, small metal connectors called abutments are attached to the implants. Abutments serve as the connection point for the dentures.

Final Impressions and Denture Fabrication

After the abutments are in place, our dentist will take impressions of your gums and abutments to create a custom denture. The denture is crafted to fit securely onto the abutments and match the aesthetics of your mouth and smile. Once the dentures are ready, your dentist will attach your restoration to the implants via the chosen attachment system (bar or ball).

Aftercare

Regular follow-up visits to our St. Louis dental office allow us to monitor the health of your implants and gums, as well as make any adjustments to your dentures. Proper oral hygiene and care of your implants and dentures are essential to ensure long-term success.

Implant Supported Dentures Candidacy

An ideal implant-supported denture candidate should have the following:

• Adequate jawbone health and density
• Missing or compromised teeth
• Good oral and general health
• Commitment to oral care
• Realistic expectations

Frequently Asked Questions