Dentures: Common Questions and Answers

dentures DallasYou probably know someone who wears dentures. Historically, these prosthetics have been the most popular prosthetic for addressing tooth loss. Dentures of the past, however, had limitations; many people have complained that conventional dentures can be uncomfortable or unstable. Fortunately, people have options today, such as implant supported dentures, or All-on-4, for improving the comfort and stability of their prosthetics.

Our oral surgeons have extensive experience placing dental implants to accommodate the diverse needs of those suffering with tooth loss.

What are the types of dentures?

There are two types of dentures. The first is a partial denture, which is a custom made prosthetic that replaces missing teeth. A partial denture can accommodate the healthy biological teeth left in the oral cavity. A full denture, on the other hand, is an entire arch of replacement teeth. This is ideal for patients who have suffered with total tooth loss in the upper and/or lower jaw.

Can dental implants support dentures?

Implant supported dentures have become very popular in recent years. This is because dental implants have been proven to extend the life of dentures. Implants can serve as pillars, similar to the roots of teeth, for dentures. This means that patients enjoy unprecedented comfort and security.

What is All-on-4?

All-on-4 is a specific method for securing dentures to implants. The location of implants with this method is very tactical so that they can retain full arches of teeth. All-on-4 is lauded by patients for increasing prosthetic stability, oral function, and one’s aesthetic.

What makes dental implants so special?

Dental implants have revolutionized the way that oral healthcare professionals approach tooth loss. In the past, prosthetics like bridges and dentures could only address the loss of visible tooth structure and not the loss of the roots of teeth.

Implants are composed of titanium – a biocompatible metal. Bone will integrate and fuse to dental implants over time, locking them in place. Since the bone support implants, patients enjoy improved oral function and ideal bone health.

If you have questions about implant supported dentures and All-on-4, call Dallas Oral Surgery Associates to reserve a tooth replacement consultation with our oral surgeon.

Top 5 Benefits Of Dental Implants

implant dentistry PlanoDental implants are unique because they are the only structurally complete tooth replacement available to patients who have experienced tooth loss. Those structural characteristics give dental implants multiple benefits in contrast to conventional appliances, like dentures and dental bridges.

Dental Implant Technology

The technology involved in implant dentistry facilitates dental implants becoming integrated into the jawbone. Because dental implants are made of biocompatible titanium, the surrounding bone tissue fuses with the implant. That bond takes several months to solidify after the oral surgeon inserts the dental implant in the jaw.

The osseointegration process allows the dental implant to serve as an artificial root, which is an important component of a biological tooth. Conventional tooth replacement appliances fail to replace the roots of the tooth, and they lack many qualities as a result.

Top 5 Benefits Of Dental Implants

Implant dentistry offers patients numerous benefits over conventional appliances, including the following:

  1. Improved stability: By functioning similar to tooth roots, dental implants preserve the integrity of the jawbone tissue. The jaw’s shape remains stable over time, so the appliance retains its fit. In conventional appliances, however, the jawbone erodes and the shape changes, causing the appliance to become loose over time.
  2. Improved chewing function: The bond between the bone and the dental implant allows the implant to tolerate strong chewing forces approximating those absorbed by biological teeth. Therefore, patients can continue to process a variety of foods and enjoy a typical diet.
  3. Improved convenience: Patients who consult with an oral surgeon to get dental implants gain convenience from the treatment. It’s easier to maintain good oral hygiene habits with an implant-supported crown than a dental bridge, which restricts access to the gumline.
  4. No impact on surrounding teeth: Dental implants stand alone, so they do not require healthy enamel on adjacent teeth to be sacrificed for crown placement to secure a pontic (artificial tooth).
  5. More secure fit: The implant-supported appliance is anchored into the jaw, so patients don’t need to worry about a slip-up at the worst time. This allows patients to smile and speak with self-confidence.

To learn more about the numerous ways that dental implants can benefit you, schedule a consultation at with our team at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates.

Do implant-supported dentures have a lifelike appearance?

implant supported dentures Patients who are pursuing dentures often are concerned about how the appliances will affect their appearance, so we want to reassure you that implant supported dentures offer a lifelike appearance and fit. The nature of dental implants offers a number of additional benefits beyond aesthetic ones to patients who choose this treatment option as well.

Implant Supported Dentures And Your Appearance

Dental implants help to secure a prosthetic arch (denture) in the same way that the roots of your biological teeth anchor the crowns in place. Therefore, you don’t have to worry that your denture will slide out of place as you smile or speak, which can be a risk with conventional dentures.

Additionally, it’s important to note that the materials used to make these appliances nearly replicate the appearance of natural teeth so that your new smile will look almost like your real one (or even better, if you want to enhance your natural smile). You have a great deal of input into this process, so be sure that you tell your oral surgeon exactly what characteristics you want your new smile to have.

Other Benefits Of Implant Supported Dentures

A lifelike appearance isn’t the only benefit that comes along with implant supported dentures. They also offer more stability than conventional dentures. Because the bone gradually fuses with the titanium implants after the oral surgeon inserts them in the jaw, they are able to function like biological tooth roots. Dental implants prevent jawbone erosion, which tends to be problematic with conventional dentures that lose their fit over time as the jaw’s contour changes.

Implant supported dentures are also better equipped for chewing because the link between bone and implant makes the appliance more capable of tolerating stronger forces needed to process more fibrous foods. Dental implants make it less likely that you’ll need to eliminate certain food groups from your diet.

Do you want to learn more about how implant supported dentures can boost your appearance and your oral health? Visit Dallas Oral Surgery Associates for an evaluation and to get more information that can help you make your treatment decision.

How Dental Implants Have Revolutionized Treatment for Tooth Loss

dental implants PlanoDental implants tackle tooth loss differently than any other kind of restorations or prosthetics. Dental implants are considered a game-changer for tooth replacement because the implants themselves successfully replace the roots of teeth.

Not only will dental implants produce a durable base for natural looking and natural feeling replacement teeth, they will help patients retain existing biological teeth and bone. Dental implants support the placement of neighboring biological teeth and keep bone stimulated in the same way that the roots of teeth keep bone active.

Read on for more information about dental implants and how our oral surgeons can help you.

Replacing a Tooth’s Roots

The first step of the total tooth replacement process is to place a dental implant into the jawbone through an empty tooth socket. In the months following this first procedure, our team will closely monitor the patient to ensure that the implant becomes stable. After receiving a dental implant, a patient will then return to our practice for follow-up appointments to check on the bone’s progress of integrating to titanium – the metal from which dental implants are constructed.

Replacing Visible Tooth Structure

After dental implants are stabilized by bone, patients will receive their custom, permanent restoration or prosthetic. For single tooth replacement, patients will receive a custom dental crown. Those in need of more than one replacement tooth might receive a bridge or partial denture.

Once the tooth replacement process is complete, people with implants can enjoy renewed oral function that will not result in unwanted dietary restrictions. Stable dental implants and their restorations make lifelike, healthy oral function possible again after tooth loss. Implants and their restorations will also restore the appearance of a person’s smile.

If you have questions about the treatment process or whether dental implants meet your needs, we encourage you to schedule a tooth replacement consultation with our caring team at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates.

Secure Your Smile with Implant-Supported Dentures

dentures PlanoDo your dentures move when you eat or speak? Over time, many people lose confidence in their dentures due to the effects tooth loss has on bone health. Since the body resorbs inactive bone, people who wear dentures may experience changes in the way their prosthetics fit within a few years.

Fortunately, there is a way to stabilize your prosthetics, eliminate denture movement, and prevent bone loss with All-on-4, a method of securing dentures to strategically placed dental implants. All-on-4 can be beneficial to people who are new to wearing dentures as well as those who have worn conventional dentures for some time.

Dental Implants and All-on-4

Dental implants are prosthetics used to replace the root structure of teeth. This is done by embedding a small titanium cylinder (the dental implant) into the jawbone. Since a dental implant is made from titanium, the body will integrate to the implant rather than reject it. This is possible because titanium is a biocompatible material.

Because dental implants are placed into the jawbone, they can serve as sturdy bases for restorations like crowns or prosthetics like dentures. For those who have lost a full arch of teeth, a denture can be anchored to implants through the All-on-4 method. This method spaces dental implants properly so that they can keep dentures in place during oral function.

Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures

When dentures are retained by dental implants, patients enjoy increased oral function. When eating, dentures will not move. Increased oral function will help prevent dietary restrictions associated with ill-fitting dentures.

Since dental implants keep bone active the way that the roots of teeth do, patients who wear All-on-4 can preserve their bone health. When bone is resorbed, it can make a person appear older than they should by causing a “sunken in” appearance that exaggerates fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth.

If you have questions about All-on-4, call Dallas Oral Surgery Associates to reserve an appointment with our skilled oral surgeons.

When can I return to work following a dental implants procedure?

implant dentistry DFWImplant dentistry has changed the way that dental professionals approach tooth loss. Dental implants make for durable and lifelike replacement teeth. Receiving dental implants is an outpatient surgical procedure. Most people return to work two or three days after their initial surgery while others may need a day or two longer to rest.

Recovery times can vary by a day or two due to the facts that everyone heals at different rates, some areas of implantation are more complex, and the amount of dental implants used to restore oral function. When it comes to recovery from receiving dental implants, it is important to follow the instructions provided by our oral surgeon so that you can manage discomfort and care for surgical sites properly.

Why do I need to return for follow up appointments?

After your dental implants are embedded and you’ve recovered from the initial procedure, you will need to return to our practice periodically for follow up appointments. The reason these appointments are necessary is because our team will need to evaluate the stabilization process of the dental implant.

Dental implants become stable once bone integrates to their titanium structure. When bone fuses to a dental implant, it holds it in place the same way that bone holds the roots of biological teeth in place. Bone stabilizing to dental implants is called osseointegration and this process is monitored by taking diagnostic images and performing quick checkups periodically.

Once our team determines that a dental implant is stable, frequent follow up appointments are no longer necessary.

Why choose an oral surgeon?

An oral and maxillofacial surgeon (OMS) is a board-certified specialist who can perform a variety of procedures and treatments in the oral cavity and along the face. Choosing an OMS for your dental implant needs is wise since these specialists have advanced training and experience working with dental implants.

Patients visiting an OMS receive highly focused care from an attentive professional. If you have questions about implant dentistry, call Dallas Oral Surgery Associates today to reserve a consultation.

How do I know if I am a suitable candidate for dental implants?

dental implants DallasDental implants offer candidates a host of benefits, but in order to maximize those benefits, patients must be good candidates for initial dental implant placement. To learn whether dental implants are feasible in your case, you should schedule a consultation with an oral surgeon who can review your circumstances.

Dental Implant Consultation

At this consultation, the oral surgeon will evaluate the quality of bone at the proposed dental implant site. Bone loss is the most common barrier to dental implant placement because adequate bone tissue is essential to the osseointegration process that makes the dental implant a fixture in the patient’s jaw.

Unfortunately, bone loss is a consequence of tooth loss, so patients who postpone getting their dental implants for too long may find that this becomes an obstacle for them. Additionally, patients who have congenital bone defects that limit the amount of available bone tissue may face similar challenges in getting dental implants.

Bone Grafting for Dental Implants

Fortunately, bone loss or other deficits do not meant that a patient can never access this treatment option. Preliminary bone grafts can help to supplement the tissue at the proposed implant site. The surgeon can obtain donor tissue from elsewhere in the patient’s body, such as the chin or hip, or from an external source and insert it at the implant site. Over the course of several months, the native bone integrates the donor bone tissue into the jaw.

A bone graft will extend the overall dental implant treatment timeline, but this is a worthy investment of your time. Dental implants that are placed without enough supporting bone tissue are at high risk for premature failure. When bone grafting is indicated, patients who receive this treatment greatly improve their chances of long-term dental implant retention.

If you are considering dental implants to replace missing teeth, call Dallas Oral Surgery Associates to schedule an evaluation. We will determine whether you are an immediate candidate for dental implant placement or whether bone grafting is needed first to help you make the right treatment decision for you.

How much do dental implants cost?

cost of dental implants DallasWhen exploring treatment options for tooth loss, patients are likely to consider a variety of concerns, including cost and longevity of the restoration. Unfortunately, because each patient’s case is unique, it’s impossible for an oral surgeon to give a one-size-fits-all estimate for the expenses connected to this treatment.

A number of factors can affect the cost of dental implants. For example, if a preliminary bone graft is needed before the dental implants can be placed, it will involve additional expenses. The number of and type of dental implants placed, along with auxiliary services, such as x-rays, anesthesia or sedation and follow-up care also contribute to the cost of dental implants.

Therefore, patients should consult with an oral surgeon in order to get a cost estimate informed by the specifics of their case. Patients who are considering a variety of treatment options should get cost estimates for their other options as well.

After getting that estimate, patients should take into account the long-term costs expected with each of the treatment options. While the initial price tag of a conventional appliance, such as a fixed dental bridge or a denture, might seem like a bargain when compared to the upfront cost of dental implants, that doesn’t reflect the lifetime costs of each method.

Implant-supported appliances are far more durable than conventional prosthetics. The dental implants help to anchor the jawbone so that its shape remains constant. However, with a standard bridge or denture, the bone tissue will gradually wear away. As this happens, the jaw’s shape changes and eventually the appliance gets loose. It may need to be refitted or even replaced.

Furthermore, failing to replace a tooth can create costly consequences for your remaining teeth, which may lead to greater out-of-pocket expenses for you. So, don’t assume that forgoing treatment is a cheaper option, either.

If you want to get more information about costs associated with dental implants, schedule an initial consultation at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates. One of our providers will be able to give you a more accurate estimate of the costs after assessing the specifics of your case.

Will I still need denture adhesives with All-on-4?

All-on-4 PlanoOne of the many benefits that patients get from an implant-supported denture, such as All-on-4, is freedom from messy denture adhesives that leave a bad taste in a patient’s mouth. The four dental implants used in this treatment technique secure the prosthetic to the jaw, eliminating the need for adhesives.

With All-on-4, the oral surgeon will need only four dental implants to secure the denture. This approach streamlines the treatment process and makes it accessible to a broader group of patients than older techniques for implant-supported dentures. Those four dental implants can be placed in a single appointment lasting just a few hours. Many patients can even be fitted with a temporary appliance at the end of that session, which is why some providers refer to All-on-4 as “smile in a day.”

The oral surgeon places the four dental implants at the front of the jaw. This is important because the bone is relatively thick in that location and slower to erode. Therefore, even long-term denture wearers who want to make the switch to dental implants can often do so with All-on-4. They may have experienced bone loss toward the rear of the jaw but still have adequate bone tissue to support osseointegration in the front of the mouth.

Not only are All-on-4 patients able to go adhesive-free, they gain other benefits as well. For example, the bond between the bone and the dental implants can tolerate fairly strong forces, so an implant-supported denture tends to be more effective at chewing than a conventional appliance. Foods that are off-limits for patients with standard dentures can be enjoyed if you choose All-on-4.

All-on-4 dental implants also are more comfortable because they are structurally complete and feel more like biological teeth. The dental implants are more reliable in holding the appliance in place, as well, preventing any untimely slip-ups.

If you want to ditch your denture adhesives, consider upgrading to All-on-4. Schedule an initial evaluation at Dallas Oral Surgery Associates to learn more about the many benefits of this treatment.

Smile Confidently with Dental Implants

implant dentistry PlanoPatients who choose conventional tooth replacements, such as fixed dental bridges or traditional dentures, following tooth loss may find that their appliances lose their fit over time. This can cause patients to lose confidence when smiling because of how they look. Implant dentistry is a good solution for overcoming this challenge.

Dental implants, which are small titanium cylinders that an oral surgeon inserts in a patient’s jaw, replace the absent tooth’s root. That structure plays an important role in the tooth’s – and the smile’s – stability. When it is not replaced, as is true of conventional prosthetics, the jawbone slowly erodes and its shape changes.

This phenomenon of jawbone atrophy causes a bridge or denture to lose its fit. A gap may develop between the appliance and the gumline, or, in the case of dentures, the appliance may repeatedly slip out of place. Patients can become reluctant to speak or smile when this occurs.

Eventually, conventional appliances will need to be replaced due to jawbone atrophy. However, when a patient gets dental implants from an oral surgeon, the appliance can remain in place for decades with proper maintenance.

Another advantage of implant dentistry is the enhanced functionality of the prosthetic. A fixed dental bridge or denture may not be as effective at chewing as natural teeth are, but an implant-supported appliance can tolerate stronger chewing forces. Patients who choose implant dentistry can typically enjoy a wider variety of healthy, nutritious foods in their diet.

Over time, many patients find that the costs of dental implants and traditional tooth replacement methods end up being comparable. Traditional prosthetics have a lower cost upfront but result in additional expenses as they need to be refitted and replaced. Your oral surgeon can give you more detailed information on this aspect of the treatment, as well.

Are you considering how to proceed with replacing a missing tooth? Are you fed up with a previous treatment that no longer meets your needs? Consider dental implants as an alternative, and schedule a consultation at our office to get back your confident smile.