Carson Dental Implant – (Dental Implant) Removable Implant Dentures/Overdentures
When you need to support your jaw and gum structure after losing teeth, dentures are often the viable option. The improved method of wearing dentures supported by dental implants offers a more stable fix that gives you a confidence boost and reduces your self-consciousness as you go about your daily activities. Overdentures have gained popularity over standard dental prostheses because they still retain their removable feature while giving you extra firm support rooted in your jawbone. Deciding on getting removable implant dentures offers you a better lifestyle because you can carry on with your life without drastic or significant changes.
After settling on the decision to get overdentures, you need to consult dentists with vast experience in the field of dental implant practice. The Carson Dental Implant clinic offers you some of the best dental implant services in California, coupled with personalized after-care treatment. We purpose to give you the best dental experience by putting your health and well-being first. With many positive results, you can trust in our medical procedures to help you attain a beautiful, bright smile.
Defining Removable Implant Dentures/Overdentures
Removable implant dentures are teeth prostheses that are formulated in the impression of your teeth to fit your mouth and close any gaps created by missing teeth. A conventional set of dentures comprises upper and lower jaw dentures that fabricate your teeth structures to fit the entire jaw. Therefore, after wearing the denture piece, it rests on your jaw bone and gums and presents a perfect set of teeth. Additionally, the overdentures rely on firm support from implants resting in your jaw bone, by interlocking the male and female click system present on the denture and the implant. After the two-click into position, the denture will rest firmly on your jaw, preventing any slips from your gums.
Most patients who schedule a consultation seeking to obtain dentures are unaware that overdentures are an option for them until we explain how they work. Just like ordinary unsupported dentures, the removable implant dentures are tooth prostheses that function to close the gap left by the loss of teeth. Patients who require the use of dentures often need to remove the set of dentures, especially when going to sleep, which is why they are removable from the mouth. With the implant support design that overdentures offer, you get to remove your set of dentures when going to sleep or when cleaning them and still receive extra support that the average dentures fail to provide.
Besides the firm grip you receive with overdentures in place of regular dentures, you can avoid the costly and highly invasive procedure that replaces each lost tooth individually. For some of our patients, undergoing an intensive individual tooth restoration may be too much to ask, considering the long healing duration as well as the pain and discomfort you are likely to feel. With the overdentures, you will receive full treatment over several simple procedures that do not cause too much trouble and return trips to the dentist for routine check-ups.
Who Can Get Removable Implant Dentures
The primary purpose of obtaining dental treatment and receiving overdentures is to close gaps caused by loss of teeth. The damage may arise from a severe tooth injury from an accident or excessive wear and tear of the enamel that occurs among the elderly commonly. However, these are not the only situations that may prompt you to seek overdenture restorative treatment. The removable implant dentures can remedy cases of:
- A failed root canal procedure that caused multiple teeth loss
- Gum diseases that make teeth weak and causes them to fall off the jaw bone
- Severe tooth decay that eats away on the tooth enamel
- Rare cleft diseases that cause tooth removal
If you suffer from a significant loss of teeth from any of these conditions, you should consider including overdentures in your treatment options.
The Structure of Removable Implant Dentures
The structure of a complete overdenture includes the actual dentures and the implant rods fitted into your gums. The implant rods are small in size, ranging between 7mm to 17mm in length and 1.5mm to 6mm in diameter, to accommodate patients with various jaw dimensions. The top surface of the dental implants has a unique design to fit into the bottom surface of the actual denture to hold it securely on your jawbone. The large allowance in the dental implant dimensions prevents forcing patients to compromise to the set measurements and improves on your comfort after it is fit into your jaw bone. With an accommodative design, you will feel less pressure on your gums, especially during the healing period.
The dentures that fit onto your implants are not much different from regular dentures, except that they have cusps on the bottom surface to click with the implants. On the top surface are the tooth impressions made of synthetic enamel or porcelain, depending on your preferences. Each set of dentures looks slightly different because of the varying mouth dimensions for each patient.
The Process of Getting Removable Implant Dentures
After your dentist recommends overdentures, there are several procedures that you must undergo to help your dentist determine the kind of treatment he/she will provide. The first step involves taking several measurements of your mouth, using a particular mold that shapes into the shape of your mouth. The procedure of collecting your mouth impressions is useful to your dentist because it gives a near-accurate tangible model of what he/she can work with. After placing the unique mold on your teeth or gums, the dentist allows it to solidify, leaving a replica of your teeth or gum structure.
Moreover, your dentist may recommend several X-ray images that show the internal tooth placement to guide him/her on whether or not any wisdom teeth may erupt later. This way, your dentist will know where to place the implants or decide on an uprooting surgery to remove the tooth if necessary. Typically, you will need to take two standard X-ray images; an OPG image and a Lateral cephalogram X-ray image. Both serve to show your jaw and tooth placement structure from a panoramic and side view. With this information, we can then determine the exact placement of your dental implants.
After making accurate determinations on the dental implant placement, we will go ahead to schedule your implant surgery. We advise you to ask any questions you may have concerning the surgical procedure, and air your concerns before settling for a date. However, you do not have to worry about the intensity of the dental implant procedure, as it is not highly invasive.
The Dental Implant Surgery Preparation Process
It is paramount for you to make adequate preparations for your dental implant placement procedure. Just like any other medical surgery, we give our patients several guidelines to observe before going under the local anesthesia. However, because it takes only a few hours to complete, you are assured of a quick process that does not overpower you.
We recommend avoiding any food that may cause gas build-up before the procedure. Additionally, getting enough rest before the day of the process will help you remain calm during the actual implant placement procedure. Staying calm and collected is beneficial to you because it prevents you from shaking or failing to open your mouth as required, which can easily distract the dentist and even cause accidents during the procedure.
Nevertheless, we believe in offering transparent operations when dealing with patients. Therefore, we are trained to engage you during the procedure and explain the importance of every step we take. Despite being under local anesthesia, you can easily follow the conversation and rid yourself of all nervousness that comes with the fear of the unknown.
The Dental Implantation Procedure
For a functional fit, you require two metallic implants on your lower jaw that serve to hold the dentures in position. On the upper jaw, your dentist will fit a minimum of four implants, because its anatomical structure requires more grip. Additionally, gravity works against the upper jaw bone, resulting in the need for more implant support. The first step in the procedure is drilling into your gums to access the soft dentine layer that houses your jaw bone tissue. We use appropriate drilling equipment that prevents excessive rupture of blood vessels that may cause unnecessary blood loss. The drills are also fitted with unique tips that mimic the measurements of your implants, to prevent an error margin that may make the hole too small or too large. Extra caution and precision are necessary during the drilling process as it sets the basis for all other consequent procedures.
After making the hole in your jaw bone tissue, we insert the implants into the reserved spaces. The accurate drilling measurements will ensure that you do not suffer any loose implants that may cause a painful slip or uncomfortable pressure on your gums if the implant rod is more significant than the incision made.
After placing the implant, no further action is taken within that session. It is essential for the implants to firmly attach themselves to the jaw bone tissue through a process called osseointegration. Mainly, the adherence process involves the merging of your tissue cells to the titanium rod of the implant. With this natural adherence, your fixed implant replaces the space left by the root of a missing tooth and creates a secondary root for support. Overall, the healing process takes around two months from the day of the procedure. The extended duration is caused by cellular functions that your body performs to create a bond between your flesh and the implant. However, the period also varies from one patient to the next, owing to different physiological characteristics that we all possess. You do not have to worry about a delayed healing period, especially after consulting your dentist and receiving an assurance that the healing is still underway.
Moreover, during the two months that the dental implants take to adhere to your jaw bone, we provide a customized set of dentures for use. The temporary set of dentures prevents you from putting too much pressure on the exposed flesh and implants, especially when chewing crunch or hard food. Regardless of the protection, these dentures allow you to continue with your routine life, without worrying about hurting your gums or slowing the healing process down. You should note, however, that these temporary dentures only serve as an alternative interim provision that allows you to access teeth functioning. It is useful mainly for patients who have lost most teeth and need dentures to help in chewing. Thus, the custom dentures are not the final fixture, and only help you cope through the recovery process.
After we verify that your implants have fully patched and adhered to your jaw bone tissue, we can then issue you with the removable implant dentures. We use your mouth dimensional measurements to determine the best dentures design for you. Our goal is to ensure that the shape of the removable implant dentures fits your mouth frame entirely, and does not hinder your speech ability from awkward placement. As a result, we will refer to the previously captured data that includes your mouth impressions from the unique mold, as well as the X-ray images you provide. When we formulate the best fit for you, we will call you in for the overdenture placement.
Usually, the dentures are easy to fix, and the appointment will take a short time. The set of overdentures specially made for you have several hooks on the bottom side that match the implants placed in your gums. To create this perfect symmetry, we must obtain accurate measurements of your gum or teeth position. Thus, your dentist may request several follow-up impression taking procedures to replicate the model of your mouth that will also show the exact positioning of the implants. Thanks to these impressions, you get right fitting dentures that click into and out of position with the implants.
After placing the dentures in place, we will give you the steps to follow when you need to remove your dentures. Also, we will provide you with essential regulations to observe concerning the proper maintenance of your dentures and preventing damages on your implant hooks. You should receive optimum grip function if you follow these requirements, and you will be confident in your smile always.
For any unforeseen mishaps in hooking your dentures on and off the dental implants, we are happy to help. Do not hesitate to schedule a consultation that will help you make any necessary repairs on your dentures, or seek further guidance on how to maintain the quality of your dentures.
The After Care Treatment
You need to follow several health care tips after the dental implant procedure that will help you prevent any consequent infections on the open wounds. Additionally, taking care of your dentures is paramount because it maintains their quality and prevents you from making constant replacements. Here are some of the tips that will give you an easier time recovering the removable implant denture procedure.
Brush Your Mouth Thoroughly, But Gently
We always insist on taking care not to rub your toothbrush against the open gum wounds after getting dental implants. At the same time, you need to maintain proper dental hygiene by brushing your mouth after every meal to ward off any disease-causing microbes. Subsequently, you will face fewer chances of inflammation or recurrent infections on the gum tissue around the implant for a better healing period.
We recommend using a toothbrush with soft bristles so that you can reduce the pressure you exert on your gums as you brush. This way, even if you accidentally brush through the open implant wound, you will not feel as much pain as experienced with rougher bristles. Also, it is even better for you when you swirl some mouthwash after brushing, to give you fresh breath and an extra bacterial kill.
Take Painkillers to Reduce Pain Levels After the Implant Operation
Your dentist will prescribe some pain relievers that serve to reduce the amount of pain and inflammation you may experience after getting the implants fitted. Most of them are over the counter drugs like Ibuprofen, so you do not have to worry about accessing them when you run low on supply. Despite the availability of these drugs, we advise you to take them sparingly and avoid them altogether if the pain is not overwhelming. Loading your body with chemicals from the medicine may alter several physiological processes that can consequently increase your healing period.
Wear the Custom Dentures During the Recovery Process
As discussed, your implants will take about two months to adhere fully into your jaw bone tissue. During this period, you are vulnerable to exposing the delicate gums around the implants to immense force when chewing. We advise you to wear custom dentures that alleviate any pressure on the dental implants to give them enough time to heal naturally. You need to wear them consistently to ensure that accidental force lands on the unheard implanted tissue.
Clean Your Dentures Thoroughly
Ultimately, you may have chosen to use overdentures because they are easy to remove, and therefore, easy to clean. With this in mind, you need to take your time and clean them thoroughly, because they are prone to harboring food particles that can cause severe tooth and gum diseases. When you remove the dentures from your dental implant hooks, take your time to brush the entire structure, taking care to clean the hooks as well. We recommend cleaning the dentures using separate toothbrushes from the one you use to brush your gums and tongue. The independent use prevents unnecessary bacterial build-up in one brush that may cause more harm than good.
Store the Overdentures Appropriately
When coming in for your overdenture placement, we will give you a cleansing solution that becomes your removable implant storage space. Placing the overdentures in the solution when they are not in use prevents them from drying out and reducing the quality of material used in their manufacture. Additionally, the solution offers anti-bacterial functions that prevent microbes from breeding in the dentures over time. With an adequate amount of solution, you can store the dentures safely for a long time and make arrangements to acquire fresh supply when you deplete your share.
The Benefits of Removable Implant Dentures
Overdentures provide many advantages over traditional denture models, majorly because of the firm grip you receive. With an assured lock system between the dentures and the implants, you can worry less about them slipping and falling off as you carry out necessary activities like talking or eating.
Some additional advantages of Overdentures are:
- The firm support would improve your facial structure, especially if you suffered from rapid jaw bone wear and tear.
- They are more affordable than alternative treatment methods.
- They offer a lasting solution to the loss of teeth, with minimal repairs required.
The Cost of Removable Implant Dentures
Depending on the custom requirements that go into your treatment and care, overdentures cost between $9,500 to $20,000. However, it is essential to note that the price is not fixed and maybe even lower for you if you do not require any pre-treatment procedures like surgical tooth extractions.
Nevertheless, you can check with your insurance company scheme and receive support by meeting the treatment costs. Some companies will offer partial payment because removable implant dentures are part of therapeutic medical procedures.
However, your insurance company may have a waiting period before you can access the funds. New patients may be more exposed to such delays because their premiums may not show an elaborate plan yet. The waiting period arises from the justification that dentures are not part of emergency treatment, and can therefore wait. Essentially, insurance covers give priority to high-emergency cases, but that does not mean that the funds are unavailable to you.
Alternatively, you may opt to make payments out of your pocket. We are available and open to discussing any payment plans that are lenient on you because we put your health and well-being first. If you need a personalized payment system, we are happy to offer you several options that will ease the financial burden on your side.
Find a Dental Implant Clinic Near Me
We all deserve the confidence and peace of mind that comes with a beautiful and healthy smile. At the Carson Dental Implant clinic, we strive to give you the best dental implant treatment that will leave your dental health at its best. We value our patient’s peace of mind, which is why we work around your schedule to help you plan for your appointments and procedures. If you need removable implant dentures, give us a call today at 310-602-6995. We will be happy to get you started on your journey to achieving the best version of yourself.