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people beautiful smile with coffee, North Peace Dental and Implant Centre, Fort St John, BC, Canada

Implant Supported Full Dentures

Implant Supported Full Denture

Additional stability and retention for full denture use

Implant supported full dentures offer an enhanced solution for patients needing full dentures, especially for the lower jaw. Traditional full dentures often encounter fit and function issues, such as poor retention, frequent slipping, and difficulty chewing, leading to discomfort and decreased efficiency. In contrast, implant-supported dentures use 4 to 6 implants per arch as anchors in the bone, to which the full dentures are attached, providing added stability and retention. This method improves fit, function, and comfort, while also preserving jawbone density and volume by preventing bone resorption. It is important to note that implant-supported full dentures are still removable prosthetics, which require patients to remove them during sleep and for cleaning purposes.

Implant Supported Full Dentures_North Peace Dental and Implant Centre_Fort St John, BC, Canada

Alternative Treatment Options

Alternative treatment options for implant supported full denture:

  • Traditional full dentures are removable prosthetics designed to replace all missing teeth in the upper or lower jaw. They rely on gum tissues for support and use natural suction or adhesive for stability. Challenges with traditional dentures include slipping, poor fit, and difficulty with chewing and speaking. Some patients find them less comfortable due to their movement and reliance on adhesives.

  • An implant-supported bridge uses two or more implants to support a bridge of multiple connected crowns, replacing multiple missing teeth with fewer implants rather than individual implants for each tooth. Unlike implant-supported dentures, which are removable and need to be taken out for cleaning and overnight, implant-supported bridge is a fixed prosthesis attaching to the implants permanently. While this provides stable and natural-looking results, it offers limited support for the lips and cheeks and may not be suitable for all situations.

Implant Supported Full Dentures Alternative Options_North Peace Dental and Implant Centre_Fort St John, BC, Canada

Implant Supported Denture Process

Know what to expect for your implant supported denture treatment

Implant supported denture treatment begins with an implant consult, where suitability and treatment options are discussed, followed by a treatment plan review session to discuss outcomes, processes and challenges. Before the surgery, functional full dentures (single or a full set) must be fabricated and ready to be loaded. Implant surgery is then performed to place the titanium implant fixture into the bone, often combined with bone graft or sinus lift procedure if needed. Depending on the surgical process, the denture can be immediately loaded onto the newly placed implants during the surgery, or it could take 4 months of healing before the denture can be loaded. After the surgery, follow up appointments at 3 days, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks are scheduled to monitor healing and potential complications. Once the denture is loaded, several more follow-ups will be done to ensure good bite relation and healthy soft tissue. Soft tissue grafting may be recommended for long-term implant success, and O-rings on the dentures need replacement every 6-18 months based on wear.

Implant Supported Full Dentures Process_North Peace Dental and Implant Centre_Fort St John, BC, Canada