Implant Dentures — Bristol, CT
The Best Form of Full-Arch Tooth Replacement
It is estimated that 23 million people are edentulous (missing all of their teeth), while millions more are edentulous in one arch. Many of these individuals choose to get traditional dentures, but did you know that a better option is available? Here at Bristol Family Dental, we offer implant dentures in Bristol. We handle this complex procedure entirely in-house. To learn more about it and how it may transform your smile, contact our team today.
What Are Implant Dentures?
Dental implants in Bristol are prosthetic tooth roots, which we insert into the jawbone. They support the artificial teeth that get placed on top of them. Because they are so strongly anchored in place, implant dentures are much sturdier and longer-lasting than their traditional counterparts.
There are a few types of implant dentures. Depending on your unique situation, we may recommend one of the following for you:
Fixed/Permanent Implant Dentures
As their name implies, these are permanently attached to the implants that support them (removable only by a dental professional). Many patients enjoy the convenience of always having their teeth in their mouth. Typically, it takes 4 – 6 prosthetic tooth roots to support a fixed denture.
Removable Implant Dentures
Sometimes called Snap-On dentures, these are easy for patients to remove on their own for cleaning purposes. They are attached to their implants via ball- or bar-shaped attachments. They usually need just 2 – 5 implants, meaning that they require less jawbone density than fixed dentures.
The Implant Denture Procedure
In most cases, we handle the entire implant procedure right here in our practice. Here is an overview of how it usually goes:
- You attend a consultation, wherein we begin planning the details of your treatment.
- Your implant dentist in Bristol carefully inserts the implants into your jawbone at precise, pre-planned positions. The surgery is minimally invasive, and most patients are well enough to return to work within a day or two.
- Over a period of several months, the implants bond with the jawbone via a biological process known as osseointegration. Then we secure small attachments, called abutments, onto the implants.
- We design and place your beautiful new set of teeth.
Am I a Candidate for Implant Dentures?
Generally speaking, candidates for implant dentures:
- Are in fair overall health
- Are free of gum disease and other oral health conditions that might interfere with their dental implants
- Have adequate jawbone density to support implants
If you are not sure if implants are right for you, we encourage you to visit us for a consultation anyway. Most adults with missing teeth do qualify for the treatment, either immediately or after some preparatory treatments.
Benefits of Combining Dentures & Dental Implants
Implant dentures take more time and money upfront than traditional dentures, but the many benefits they offer make them a worthwhile investment. Those benefits include:
- You can look forward to enjoying virtually all of your favorite foods, including ones that are off-limits with traditional dentures.
- An implant denture tends to last several times longer than a traditional denture, which may need to be replaced every 5 – 7 years.
- Jawbone preservation. Dental implants stimulate the jawbone, preventing the bone loss that normally occurs after tooth loss.
- Natural appearance. We take great care to design implant dentures so they look as natural as possible.