Implant Retained Dentures
Rockwall & Paris, Texas
Implant-retained dentures are an alternative to traditional dentures that use dental implants to keep your replacement teeth securely in place. Special attachments connect the dentures to implants placed in your jawbone, providing greater stability and making it easier to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. Unlike fixed dentures, implant-retained dentures can be removed, making them easier to clean and maintain.
While implant-retained dentures do not completely restore your natural biting and chewing strength, they offer significant advantages over traditional dentures at a more affordable cost than many other implant-based options. Because they are supported by dental implants, they don’t typically require adhesives to stay in place. They also reduce the slipping, rubbing, and gum irritation that can make traditional dentures uncomfortable.
At Northeast Texas Periodontal Specialists, we offer several options for replacing missing teeth, including implant-retained dentures. If you are considering this treatment and would like to learn more about its benefits or the other options available, please review the information below. To schedule a consultation, contact our Rockwall office at (972) 771-8640 or our Paris office at (903) 785-4832.
Implant Retained Dentures
Consultation & Process
The first step in getting implant retained dentures is scheduling an initial examination so we can determine whether this is the best treatment option for you. This evaluation will also include taking 3D images using a dental CT (CBCT) scanner, which produces high-quality 3-D images that will also allow us to determine the optimal placement of your implants. These images will also be used in conjunction with special software to create a surgical guide to ensure the implant is precisely placed into the pre-planned position. Provided you are a viable candidate for implant retained dentures, impressions of your new teeth will be made and a follow-up appointment will be scheduled.
Before we begin the implant retained denture procedure, we will administer a local anesthetic to ensure you do not feel any discomfort and dental sedation, if necessary. Once you are numbed and comfortable, the procedure will begin by making an incision in your gums. Next, we will use a Piezosurgery ultrasonic surgical instrument to prepare the bone where your implants will be placed. Unlike conventional instruments, Piezosurgery uses ultrasonic vibrations to precisely cut bone without affecting the nerves, blood vessels, skin, or gum.
Once the area on the bone has been prepared and the implant placed, we will, on occasion, add growth proteins to the bone to ensure a faster healing process and position your temporary restoration, which will be worn while you undergo the healing process. It will take several months for the titanium dental implants in your jaw to fully integrate with your jawbone. Once this process of “osseointegration” is complete, you will return to our office one final time, and you will then be cleared to proceed with placement of the final restoration (the implant retained denture). After testing the final restoration to ensure that your bite looks and feels comfortable and aligns with the opposing teeth, your implant retained denture procedure will be complete!
Implant Retained Dentures
Options & Types
The two main types of implant retained dentures are ball-retained and bar-retained dentures. Ball-retained dentures have metal attachments on the dental implants that attach to the denture. The denture attachments are typically shaped like sockets, and the implant attachments are ball-shaped, although sometimes the shape is reversed. Either way, the two attach in the manner of the ball fitting into the socket. Oftentimes, the connection can be described as a trailer hitch-type attachment as well.
Bar-retained dentures require a minimum of two and up to five implants placed in the jawbone, onto which a metal bar that is designed to fit the curve of your jawbone is attached. Once this bar is in place, the dentures are placed over the bar, and the dentures, implants, or both can be clipped together.
Implant Retained Dentures
costs associated
One of the biggest benefits of implant retained dentures compared to other denture options is that they restore functionality and are less expensive than other options because fewer dental implants are necessary. The cost of implant retained dentures will largely depend on how many implants are placed, what type of dental sedation is used, the material used for your implant retained denture, and your dental insurance plan. It is also important to factor in the cost of the initial visit and any follow-up appointments that may be necessary.
For patients who are covered under a dental insurance plan, although we are not in-network, we will gladly help prepare and file your claim to ensure you receive your maximum reimbursement. Payment is due in full on the day of treatment. We accept cash, check, Visa, Discover, Mastercard, and American Express. If you are concerned about the cost of receiving treatment, please know that we offer our patients Compassionate Finance, which offers a variety of payment solutions with fixed interest rates and manageable monthly payments, and CareCredit®, which offers 24-month payment plans with zero interest, as well as low-interest financing for 24-60 months.
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