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A dental implant is an ideal tooth restoration for people who are missing one or more teeth for reasons like injury or periodontal disease. To begin the implant process, a metal post is surgically positioned into the jaw. This post will act as a permanent “root” for the implanted tooth. Once it is in place, the surrounding bone and tissue needs time to heal.
Implant placement requires special training, as it is a surgical procedure. Our team is highly-trained in implant placement to meet your dental needs.
Implants require healthy gums and adequate bone. A patient must also be committed to excellent oral hygiene and regular dental visits, as these are critical to the long-term success of dental implants.
Two main types of dental implants are approved for safe use: endosteal, in which the implant post is placed within the jawbone, and subperiosteal, in which the post is placed on top of the bone. Placing dental implants is an outpatient procedure that consists of several steps. If necessary, the diseased or damaged tooth will be removed and the jawbone prepared for the implant placement. You may receive a bone graft if more bone is needed to support the implant. After the bone and gum heal from the placement, which takes a few weeks, you’ll return to have your teeth molded. Then, the final permanent replacement tooth is placed on the implant and is attached with a metal structure called an abutment.
Dental patients have been using dentures as an artificial replacement for lost teeth for years. Whether having lost teeth due to gum disease, tooth decay, dental abnormalities, or any other reason, dentures offer patients an alternative to natural teeth by using a removable plate that sits in the mouth. But dentures aren’t for everyone, and thanks to modern technology, patients now have other options, including overdentures. The dentists at Secure Dental offer overdentures to patients who find that conventional dentures just aren’t cutting it.
Conventional dentures require the removal of severely damaged or decayed teeth in patients whose jaws are not strong enough to support implants. On the other hand, overdentures attach to implants in the jaw and fit over the remnants of existing teeth, if there are any. They snap into place but can easily be taken out for cleaning. They are a good alternative for patients who have a healthy jaw and find that conventional dentures don’t work for them because they don’t stay in place. Overdentures are durable and long-lasting, so they’ve become more and more popular among dental patients who have lost teeth for any reason.
The biggest advantage to overdentures is that they’re stable because they snap into implants without requiring the use of adhesives. Unlike conventional dentures, overdentures help preserve the jaw bone, which helps restore proper chewing ability and lessens gum irritation while offering more comfort. They also provide a more natural feel than conventional dentures, which can help improve speech and boost the wearer’s confidence. Plus, overdentures can last up to 20 years or more if the patient exercises good oral hygiene and is in good health overall, although habits like smoking and teeth grinding can shorten that lifespan.
Secure Dental has helped countless satisfied patients with their dental needs, including making the switch from dentures to overdentures. To find out if you are a good candidate for overdentures, call us at (309) 681-8888 to schedule an appointment at a location near you.
