Missing teeth can cause many oral and overall health problems- especially if you are missing most or all of them. Conventional dentures are an affordable solution, but they come with their own disadvantages. Implant-supported dentures are the ideal solution because they offer the affordability of dentures with the stability of dental implants.
At Arlington Dental Excellence, we have two implantologists on staff: Dr. Alan Jureidini and Dr. Ramy Habib. They have the extensive training required to properly place dental implants in the jaw to provide the most stable base for an overdenture.
The staff at Arlington Dental Excellence is caring and knowledgeable. They take the time to make sure that your dental visit is pleasant and that you understand your options for tooth replacement.
Dr. Jureidini and Dr. Habib are our certified implantologists. They will ensure that your procedure goes as smoothly as possible.
Implant-supported dentures are an oral appliance designed to replace several or all missing teeth in one or both arches. It is similar to traditional dentures, but instead of simply resting on the gums, it is secured in place with 2 or more dental implants.
Implant-supported dentures may be removable or fixed.
Dental professionals often recommend implant-supported dentures for patients who are missing all or most of their teeth. An implant-supported partial denture may be more appropriate for patients who are missing several teeth. The dentist will determine the best solution during the consultation visit.
All-on-4 dental implants is a specific type of implant-supported denture that relies on 4 dental implants to support the overdenture. The implants are strategically placed in the jaw to provide maximum support for the bite force. The overdenture is permanently secured in place and can only be removed by the dentist for an exam and dental cleaning.
In most cases, the process for getting implant-supported dentures involves multiple steps spread over several months. However, every patient is different, and the specifics of your treatment depend on your personal circumstances.
The first step to any treatment at Arlington Dental Excellence is to schedule a consultation to determine your condition and to determine the best approach to treatment. During this visit, the dentist will examine your mouth and take x-rays. We will also discuss your oral and overall health as well as your oral hygiene habits and expectations for treatment. This will be used to create your treatment plan.
In some cases, the implants can be placed right away. However, some patients require prep procedures such as extracting damaged/decayed teeth or restoring bone density with a bone graft procedure. Depending on the procedures you require, you may need time to heal before implants can be placed. You will be provided with a temporary denture to wear while you heal.
Once you have healed from any required prep procedures, Dr. Jureidini or Dr. Habib will place the dental implants. Two will be placed near the front of the jaw. The other two will be placed in the rear of the jaw, one on each side, at a 45 angle, which will provide better support for bite force.
Typically, it takes about 2 to 6 months to fully heal from this portion of the process. This is when the jawbone will fuse with the implant screw to create a stable base for your dental prosthesis. You will continue to wear your healing denture during this time.
Once you have healed from implant placement, the dentist will create a mold of one or both arches, depending on what you need to have replaced. The mold will be sent to the dental lab for the fabrication of your custom-made dental prosthesis. This typically takes a couple of weeks.
When the lab returns the prosthesis to the clinic, we will schedule for you to come in to have your overdenture placed. Before you leave, we will ensure that you are comfortable with it and that no adjustments are required. You will also be given specific instructions on proper oral hygiene, including caring for and cleaning your denture.
There are several benefits of implant-supported dentures, including:
However, there are also a few risks that you need to be aware of. This is an invasive oral surgery, which means there are potential complications, including:
The cost of implant-supported dentures ranges from around $6,000 to $8,000+, depending on several factors such as:
On average, the cost of traditional dental implants ranges from around $1,600 to $2,200 per implant, while mini implants range from around $500 to $1,500. A full set of porcelain dentures costs an average of $1,500 to $4,000. Finally, additional procedures have fees associated with them that must be considered.
Unfortunately, many dental insurance providers consider this to be a cosmetic procedure and will not cover treatment. However, there are some that will. Our office staff will work with your provider to determine your coverage. If you do not have insurance or if you need help paying out-of-pocket for your procedure, we can explain our financing options.
The average recovery time for denture implants is a few months. This is because your body needs time to fuse with the implants to create a stable base for your prosthesis.
For a few days following implant surgery, you’ll want to stick to a liquid diet and then transition to a soft food diet while you heal. Once you are healed, you can eat what you like. Caring for your prosthesis depends on whether it is fixed or removable. A fixed prosthesis should be cared for like natural teeth. A removable prosthesis, on the other hand, should be cared for like removable teeth.
If you are missing most or all of your teeth, consider scheduling your consultation with the team at Arlington Dental Excellence today. We are conveniently located on Fairfax Drive in Arlington, VA. Our office hours are Monday through Thursday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Friday from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and Saturday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We are available on Sundays for dental emergencies.
If you are interested in learning more about implant-supported dentures at Arlington Dental Excellence, we will be happy to answer your questions. Below are some of the most frequent questions we get about this procedure.
How you care for your implant-supported dentures depends on if they are removable or fixed.
You care for fixed denture implants like you would your natural teeth. You care for your removable implant-supported dentures like you would a conventional denture.
If your implant-supported denture feels loose, you need to schedule an appointment to have it checked. If it is loose, food debris and bacteria can get under it, eventually causing gum disease.
The cost of implant-supported dentures ranges from around $6,000 to $8,000, depending on several factors. Some dental insurance providers will cover treatment, while others will not. Our office staff will work with your provider to find out about your coverage.
