Implant-Retained Dentures – Sunnyvale, CA
Helping Your Dentures Feel More Natural Than Ever
Being completely edentulous (without any teeth) is quite common. In fact, nearly 40 million Americans have lost all of their teeth. Many people feel devastated by their situation, especially at first, and dentures are a welcome solution that allows them to eat, speak, and smile comfortably. But dentures aren't without drawbacks. Over time, they often become loose and ill-fitting, which can really impact your everyday activities like socializing or enjoying a meal. Fortunately, Dr. Michael Piccione offers implant-retained dentures in Sunnyvale to dramatically improve the fit and function of your denture and help it feel more like your own teeth. If you'd like to know how implants can improve your dentures, contact us anytime to schedule a consultation!
How Do Implant-Retained Dentures Work?
Implant-retained dentures are very similar to traditional dentures but are securely held in place with dental implants rather than suction and adhesive. In most cases, just 2-8 implants are needed to support an entire upper or lower denture. In addition to keeping your denture firmly in place, implants mimic the function of natural tooth roots and preserve your jawbone density over time.
Am I A Candidate for Implant-Retained Dentures?
The first step to getting an implant denture is scheduling a consultation with Dr. Piccione who will closely evaluate your needs before making a recommendation. Here are some of the factors he'll be looking at:
- Medical and dental history
- Your jawbone density
- Whether you use tobacco (smoking lowers the long-term chances of implant success)
- Your gum health
- Your oral hygiene habits
The Implant-Retained Dentures Procedure
Getting an implant-retained denture is done in phases spread out over several months. Here's what you can expect:
- Some patients need to have preliminary procedures beforehand such as gum treatment, extractions or bone grafts. If so, these will be done first and will require some extra time for healing and recovery.
- Then you'll have a small, in-office surgery done by a specialist to have the implants placed in your jaw.
- The next step won't happen for several months, which gives the implants time to fuse with the surrounding jawbone. During this period of time, you'll wear a temporary denture.
- Lastly, you'll come back for another appointment to get your permanent denture. After we make sure everything looks and feels great, we'll give you detailed instructions for how to put it in and maintain it.
Benefits Of Combining Dentures & Dental Implants
By combining dental implants in Sunnyvale with dentures, you'll get the best of both worlds. Here are just some of the benefits you can expect:
- A stronger, more secure denture that won't move or shift. This gives you a lot more chewing power and allows you to eat hard or crunchy foods more easily.
- Your dentures will continue fitting well for a longer period of time and won't need costly adjustments as often.
- Your jawbone will be preserved.
- The need for dental adhesive will be greatly reduced or eliminated.