Implant Dentures — Jacksonville, FL

What Are Implant Dentures?

Like traditional dentures, an implant denture is a full set of custom-made replacement teeth set into a gum-colored base. The base is crafted carefully to fit over the gum ridge and replace an entire arch of upper or lower teeth. However, instead of resting on top of the gums and relying on suction and adhesives to stay in place, implant dentures are anchored directly into the jawbone with four to eight dental implants. Depending on your unique needs and preferences, there are two main types of implant dentures:

Fixed/Permanent Implant Dentures

As their name implies, fixed or permanent implant dentures are designed to stay fixed in place permanently. Once the denture is fastened onto the dental implants, there’s no need for you to remove it while eating, sleeping, or going about your daily life. You’ll simply wear the implant denture 24/7, and Dr. Mullens or Dr. Nguyen will remove it occasionally for checkups and cleanings.

Removable Implant Dentures

On the other hand, there are also removable implant dentures. These dentures snap onto the dental implants and can be taken out and put back in by the patient whenever it’s needed. Many patients enjoy the familiarity of removable dentures while still benefiting from dental implants. Plus, this type of implant denture typically requires less jawbone density.

The Implant Denture Procedure

As you may suspect, getting implant dentures requires a more involved process than getting traditional dentures. First, you’ll meet with Dr. Mullens or Dr. Nguyen to see if implant dentures are a good choice for you and if you need to complete any preliminary treatments like bone grafting or gum disease treatment. Then, we’ll use the latest dental technology to place several dental implants in precisely planned locations throughout your mouth. Over the next several months, the dental implants will fuse with the surrounding bone tissue to form a strong foundation. Finally, you’ll return to our office to have your brand-new, custom-made dentures secured to the dental implants and anchored in place.

Am I a Candidate for Implant Dentures?

Not only are dental implants the premiere tooth loss solution, but most adults qualify for them! To be considered a good candidate for implant dentures, you’ll need to have:

• Good overall health
• Great oral health
• Adequate jawbone density

If you’re not initially a good candidate for implant dentures for whatever reason, we can likely help you get on track with one or more preliminary treatments.

Benefits of Combining Dentures & Dental Implants

Dentists and patients agree that combining dentures with dental implants is the ideal way to overcome complete tooth loss. Implant dentures offer a variety of important benefits, such as:

• Easy maintenance, which promotes better oral health and a lower risk of serious issues like gum disease and oral cancer.
• Preserved jawbone and youthful facial features.
• Unmatched comfort, since implant dentures don’t cause jaw soreness or gum irritation.
• Complete confidence in your smile since your dentures will never slip, click, or pop out of place.
• Lowered risk of overall health problems that are associated with tooth loss, including heart disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis.
• Ability to eat steak, apples, nuts, and all your favorite foods with ease.
• Potential to last a lifetime with the right care.