senior woman with beautiful smile isolated against gray gradient backgroundWhen it comes to teeth replacement, there are plenty of options available. Dentures are one of the most affordable options, but many patients find that they don’t necessarily want to keep traditional dentures long-term. Today, our Denver dental team at Metropolitan Dental Care explains how to upgrade your denture to an implant-supported dental bridge.

To learn more, schedule an appointment with our Denver doctor. Call us today at 303-523-2626.

Common Complaints about Dentures

Traditional dentures are removable. They rely on the bone ridge and gum tissue for support. While modern dentures fit much better than their older counterparts, they can still wobble, shift, and slip when eating or speaking. To hold them firmly in place, dental adhesive is typically necessary. Furthermore, dentures only last about seven to 10 years on average. To keep them fitting well, we recommend having them relined every two years.

Benefits of an Implant-Supported Dental Bridge

Many of our patients decide to upgrade their dentures with implant-supported dental bridges. This type of prosthesis offers a number of advantages over other options. For example, any restoration attached to dental implants will have more stability compared to dentures. Because dental implants replace the roots of missing teeth, they stimulate the jawbone tissue in a similar fashion. As a result, restorative signals are relayed, and bone density is preserved. Implant-supported dental bridges also last much longer than dentures. In fact, with proper care, they can last a lifetime.

About the Treatment Process

The first step is to visit your Denver dentist to determine if an implant-supported dental bridge is right for you. Your doctor will visually assess the teeth and gums and take x-rays to establish proper implant placement.

During the surgical visit, your doctor administers local anesthesia for your comfort. Creating small incisions in the gums helps us access the jawbone. Using special dental instruments, your doctor prepares the implant site, then inserts the post into the bone. For a standard implant-supported dental bridge, an average of six implants per arch is required. Once they are placed, the incisions are closed with sutures and a temporary denture is worn while you heal.

Every patient is unique; but on average, it takes about three to four months for the implants to fuse with the jawbone. This process, known as osseointegration, is essential for long-term success. Once the implants have fully healed, your final restoration can be attached.

What if I have bone loss?

You may have heard that dental implants require sufficient bone density. For standard implants this is true; the posts must be completely embedded in healthy bone tissue. However, there is a technique called All-on-4®, which can replace an entire arch of teeth using only four implants. The significant advantage of All-on-4 is that individuals with bone loss can still qualify for treatment. This is because two of the back implants are placed into the jawbone at an angle. This helps equalize bite forces so a temporary restoration can be added on the same day. As a result, those who have previously not qualified for implants are now candidates for the procedure.

Learn More about Implant-Supported Dental Bridges at Our Denver Practice

Do you want to learn more about implant-supported restorations, including dental bridges? If so, schedule a visit at our Denver practice. Call us anytime at 303-534-2626.