Implant Dentures – West Lake Hills, TX
Creating Longer-Lasting Smiles with the Help of Implants
Traditional dentures have been around for centuries. While the materials have changed, making them more comfortable to wear and lifelike in appearance, they still leave patients frustrated and wanting more from their tooth replacement. Fortunately, at Westlake Hills Dental Arts, we are pleased to offer our patients an alternative that is known for its permanence, durability, functionality, and longer lifespan – implant dentures in West Lake Hills! Not only do these prosthetics make it possible to eat and speak with ease and clarity, but they continuously stimulate the jawbone, creating a more youthful appearance and allowing for better oral health. Contact us today to find out more about implant dentures and learn how we can help you take back your smile.
Why Choose Westlake Hills Dental Arts for Implant Dentures?
- Partnering with Local Specialists for Successful Implant Placement
- High-Quality Materials Used to Create Lifelike Restorations
- Early Morning Appointments Available for Greater Convenience
What Are Implant Dentures?
Dental implants in general are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement. When attaching a customized denture to the tops of 4 or 6 dental implants, you can expect to enjoy a smile that will remain firmly in place because of its surgical placement. Unlike dentures that require your natural suction and dental adhesive to remain intact, implant dentures are held in place by your jawbone. Through a process known as osseointegration, the titanium posts fuse with the bone and surrounding tissue, creating a firm and stable foundation for your denture.
The choice between a fixed or removable denture is yours, both of which offer great results:
Fixed/Permanent Implant Dentures
Only your implant dentist in West Lake Hills can remove this type of denture. Using between 4 and 6 dental implants in the upper or lower arch, your customized restoration is secured into place, creating a permanent and stable fixture that can last a lifetime.
Removable Implant Dentures
If you prefer to have a removable denture, you can request an overdenture. Held into place with a bar-retained or ball-retained appliance, it is only necessary for an implant dentist to insert between 2 and 5 implants. This type of restoration can be easily removed at night for cleaning.
The Implant Denture Process
Although it is true that the implant placement process does take many months or even a year if you require preliminary treatments, remember that the results you’ll achieve in the end are well worth the wait. To start, you will need to schedule a consultation with Dr. Long to discuss your eligibility and have a formalized treatment plan generated to move forward. Once she clears you for treatment, she will work with a local implant specialist who will be responsible for placing your dental implants in West Lake Hills. Making multiple incisions in your gums, the implants will be placed into the designated areas and carefully angled to ensure maximum support.
You will then be sent home to recover for a span of 3-6 months. During this time, osseointegration will occur and cause the implants to fuse with the bone and tissues. Once you are fully healed, you will receive your metal abutments, which are connector pieces that attach the implants to the restoration. The final stage of dental implant placement is receiving your customized denture.
Am I a Candidate for Implant Dentures?
It’s natural to assume there is no way you would qualify for implant dentures, especially if you’ve been waiting to seek professional treatment for quite some time. However, it’s important that you leave that decision up to Dr. Long and our team at Westlake Hills Dental Arts. Using advanced technology, we can determine if you’re eligible for treatment, and even if certain problems do exist, there is a good chance we can recommend preliminary treatments that will put your oral health and facial structure in a better position to receive dental implants later on.
During your initial consultation, Dr. Long will evaluate the following factors to determine if you can move forward with implant placement:
- Your oral and overall health and whether you are eligible to undergo minor surgery. If you have a compromised immune system, gum disease, or tooth decay, you will need to have these addressed before having dental implants put into place.
- Your jawbone is strong enough to hold up your restoration. If areas of the jawbone are too weak, it may be necessary for you to undergo a bone graft or sinus lift.
- You are committed to maintaining good oral hygiene after receiving your dental implants, as this is imperative to ensuring their longevity.
Benefits of Combining Dentures & Dental Implants
The benefits that come with combining dental implants and dentures are many, some of which include:
- Greater oral health because of the continuous stimulation to the jawbone as well as the ease of cleaning because implants look and function just like regular teeth.
- The ability to eat the foods you love (even the hard ones) and drink your favorite hot beverages without worrying about the materials warping.
- A chance to embrace a better quality of life and improved self-esteem because of your natural, beautiful, and healthy smile.
- A customized prosthetic that is designed to last 30 years or even a lifetime as long as you take proper care of it.
- Greater bite force and chewing power, making it easier to eat without worry about a prosthetic slipping or falling out.