Implant-Retained Dentures

Implant retained dentures can represent a significant investment for the average patient, so its important to understand all the ways they can benefit you. The need for dentures, in general, is due to the loss of teeth from trauma or decay. Losing teeth has a broad impact on your overall health, starting with the gradual loss of bone in the jaw resulting from the absent tooth. Many patients also experience social concerns, such as embarrassment and shame, causing them to smile less. Your overall health can be affected as the result of poor nutrition resulting from a limited selection of food choices caused by an inability to chew effectively. All of these concerns can be managed with implant retained dentures.

This is an excellent question, and a reasonable one considering the additional cost of implant-retained dentures. Regular dentures are held in place with an adhesive, which, while effective, is not durable enough to withstand continual use. Dentures often slip on the gums, causing discomfort and potential rawness. They can also pop out at inopportune times resulting in embarrassment and are not appropriate for consuming all food types. Implant retained dentures function more like natural teeth, eliminating many of these concerns.

Implant retained dentures are a form of dental restoration that is mounted on a set of titanium screws set into the jawbone. Titanium has the inherent ability to fuse with the bone and encourage bone growth, resulting in a stronger jawbone and countering bone decay caused by missing teeth. As a result of these mounting points, dentures don’t slip and can be used to eat any food that is safe for your natural teeth. You should still avoid extremely hard or sticky foods to avoid any potential problems.

This form of dental restoration comes in two forms. One form of implant-retained dentures can be removed by the patient for cleaning in much the same way that traditional dentures can be used. Other forms are only removed twice a year by the dentist for a cleaning. The rest of the year, normal oral hygiene practices such as flossing, brushing, and mouthwash are sufficient.

If you’re exploring dental restoration options and are considering implant-retained dentures, pick up the phone and give us a call at 202-737-1850. Our friendly office staff will help you arrange your appointment and ensure that you have everything you’ll need to get everything you need out of your visit. Dr. Jean Li serves the Rockville, MD area with exceptional periodontal care from the Perio & Implant at Washington Metro offices at 15200 Shady Grove Road, Suite 105, Rockville, MD. We are excited to welcome you to our dental patient family!