Implant Supported Dentures
An implant supported denture is becoming a popular denture restoration that combines two prior solutions into one quite successful option. A traditional denture is designed to rest snuggly on your gums and is held in place with dental adhesive. An implant supported denture can now be your restoration solution if you are missing your teeth and have enough jawbone density to support the dental implants. With the dental implants surgically placed into your jawbone, they are now used to secure, stabilize, and support the dentures. An implant supported denture has special clips that snap onto attachments on the implants.
The entire team at Dr. Crystal Dental radiates compassion and enthusiasm. Every member embraces your individual comfort and dental needs. We seek balance in our practice, our procedures, and your health. You will find your entire dental experience with us comforting from start to finish. We balance exceptional, personalized dental care with state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Call us today at 440-974-4449 to schedule your appointment for an evaluation regarding the benefits of implant supported dentures for you. You can conveniently find us at 7223 Center Street, Mentor, Ohio, 44060.
You can have an implant supported denture placed in either your upper or lower jaw. You should still plan on removing your implant supported dentures daily to clean the appliance and the gum area beneath. It is best to not sleep with the implant supported dentures at night. You might prefer to have permanent crown and bridgework restoration that cannot be removed. Dr. Crystal Dental will consider your needs and desires when we review your restoration options with you.
Dr. Crystal
Dr. Crystal is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University, School of Dental Medicine and went on to receive training at one of the most prestigious dental residencies in the nation, The Audie L. Murphy VA Hospital Advanced Education in General Dentistry in San Antonio, TX.
Inform & Educate
We empower you to make wise, well-informed decisions for your oral health through patient education and individual consultation. We do this through the modern technology we offer. Our digital x-rays are equipped with special cavity-detecting software, and we also utilize an intraoral camera to show you what we see in your mouth. We also make sure to stay up-to-date on your medical history, current medications and any other factors that might affect your dental health and treatment.
Insurance & Billing
We are an insurance-friendly office, so please call us about your plan. We will do our best to assist you in maximizing your benefits. At your first visit to our Mentor dental practice, we will ask you for your current insurance information. We may ask you to confirm this information at subsequent visits so we can stay up-to-date and fully informed to serve you. As a courtesy to you, we file all claim forms electronically, provide postage for special claims, and we track claims for you.
Benefits That Come with Implant Supported Dentures
Most patients are qualified to have a single dental implant at Dr. Crystal Dental. An implant-supported bridge though usually requires a second implant, so we need to make sure that your jaw is strong enough and that there is adequate bone density. We will conduct an examination and take digital X-rays before we can proceed with the procedure.
Also, you must understand the implant supported bridge will need extra oral hygiene. An implant supported bridge is a permanent appliance that needs to be cleaned just like your natural teeth. Without the supporting attachments to the two neighboring teeth, you can easily floss every day, and the artificial crowns will need to be brushed as well. Regular exams and checkups every six months with Dr. Crystal Dental are strongly encouraged as well.
How Implant Supported Dentures Function
There are two versions of implant supported dentures: bar-retained and ball-retained. With both types, the denture appliance will be made of an acrylic base that looks like your natural gums. Porcelain, ceramic, or acrylic crowns matching your natural teeth are attached to the base. Both methods of dentures need at least two implants for proper support.
- Bar-retained dentures — A thin metal bar is designed to follow the curve of your arch and is attached to two to five implants that have been surgically placed in your jawbone. Clips are fitted to the bar, the denture or both. The denture then fits directly over this bar and is securely clipped into place with attachments.
- Ball or Locator-retained dentures — Each surgically place implant has a metal attachment on the end that is ball or button shaped. These attachments snap directly into a female nylon socket on the backside of the denture.
The Procedure for Receiving Implant Supported Dentures
During your initial exam and consultation, the detail-conscious team at Dr. Crystal Dental will review your medical and dental histories, take necessary X-rays, and create impressions of your existing teeth and gums so that models can be created. We may add a computed tomography (CT) scan of your mouth. This will show us exactly where your sinuses and nerves are located above your upper teeth. It will help us to make sure they will not be affected by the placement of the implants. A CT scan can also show the jawbone density, if this is a concern, and to pinpoint the perfect locations for the implants. If you are not wearing a denture, we will make you one. You will then use this temporary denture until your implant supported denture is placed.
With this temporary denture, we can also determine the ideal position for artificial crowns in the permanent denture. When the temporary denture is finished, we can also use a copy of it as a guide to direct the implants into the precise positions. It can take about four appointments for the entire completion.
We will now administer a local anesthetic to numb the immediate area for implant placements. Next, we will create small incisions and proceed to surgically place each tiny titanium post into your jawbone. We will close the sites with sutures.
Dr. Crystal Dental will wait several months to allow the jawbone and the implants to integrate or attach and fuse together.
After we have confirmed with X-rays that the implants have become fused with the jawbone, the second surgery is scheduled. This surgery is much simpler than the first. A small incision is again made to expose the tops of the implants. We then attach an abutment or extension to the titanium post, so it reaches the surface of your gumline. There is minimal gum healing and then we will make a final impression of your gums and the abutments. This is the roadmap for the final denture framework, either ball or bar, specific and precise locations.
With the final denture now fabricated, we may have some minor adjustments at your final fitting for either a bar-retained or a ball-retained final implant supported denture.
Comprehensive Dentistry
Comprehensive dentistry with Dr. Crystal Schneider, involves the diagnosis and treatment of conditions affecting the teeth, gums and jaw. She believes that preventive care is the most important aspect of comprehensive dentistry. Dr. Schneider aims to identify and treat problems while they’re still small, which can save you time, money and more extensive dental treatment.
Cosmetic Dentistry
An attractive smile can boost your confidence, help you make better first impressions on others, and improve your personal and professional life. We provide several cosmetic dental treatments that can subtly enhance your smile, and there are many other more dramatic treatments, often called “smile makeovers,” that can give you the smile of your dreams.
Specialized Dentistry
Missing teeth can take the joy out of the everyday things we love, from smiling and talking with confidence to eating our favorite foods. All of these things can become easier again with specialized dental care. Dr. Schneider offers advanced treatments that will not just restore your smile to its former health – they’ll make it look and feel even better than before!
The Aftercare of Your Implant Supported Dentures
Dr. Crystal Dental will strongly suggest for you to remove your dentures at night and for proper cleaning. We would also like you to carefully clean around the attachments.
We will test the appliance to make sure it is secure. Even though your new denture is stable, it could still move slightly when you chew. This slight movement might cause minor rubbing against your gums, which can cause sore spots. We will check your gums and will check your bite after the insertion of the final denture.
The clips or other attachments on your dentures will need to be replaced every 6 to 12 months. They are made of a plastic material (nylon) and will show wear with continued use. This is an expensive and simple procedure to replace these over time, and ensure a well fitting prosthetic for years to come.
Our Devotion to Family Dentistry is Unparalleled
Our attention to detail is second to none. Either when it comes to your personalized dental care or the array of amenities in the relaxing comfort of our office. The entire team at Dr. Crystal Dental goes the extra mile in providing communication and consultation, realizing that we collectively are committed to developing long lasting relationships with every patient. We find gratification in life changing healthy smiles. Call us now at 440-974-4449 to make an appointment to evaluate the benefits of an implant supported denture for you. Our office is located at 7223 Center Street, Mentor, Ohio, 44060.