What makes so many of our patients prefer implant-supported overdentures? They are more comfortable and function more like natural teeth when compared to conventional dentures. Our patients no longer have to limit their diets because their teeth will stay securely in place even when they eat crunchy or chewy foods. Also, snap-on dentures that are supported by dental implants rest on the implants, not on the gums. So they don’t create sore or irritated areas on the gums.

Like conventional dentures, they are removable dentures so they can come out at the end of the night for cleaning. But then when they are replaced, they snap securely in place. No longer do our patients need to worry about their dentures slipping when they talk or laugh.

This is fast becoming our patients’ favorite way to replace missing teeth. Especially when patients have been traditional denture wearers for years, replacing those regular dentures with these snap-in dentures—also called an implant-supported overdenture—is a relief and a pleasure.

We can create these implant overdentures in three different configurations.

• Implant-retained partial overdenture
• Complete snap-in implant-supported overdenture
• Complete fixed implant-supported overdenture

The difference depends on how many lost teeth there are. When several teeth are sound, it may only be necessary to create an implant-supported partial overdenture for the upper or lower arch. A partial overdenture can be a cost-effective solution when there are several teeth that need to be replaced, while the remaining teeth are healthy.

An implant-retained partial overdenture will be supported by dental implants the same way complete implant overdentures are. The shape of this removable partial denture will, of course, be designed to accommodate all the remaining natural teeth.

Our patients to whom we recommend implant-supported dentures are delighted with their stability and functionality. Because we take pride in the technical excellence of every treatment but also in our high rate of patient satisfaction, we love patient feedback that tells us that we have succeeded.

When we are planning teeth replacement options with partial snap-in dentures or complete dentures, we take great care to ensure that every patient understands their choices and the benefits associated with each option. We want them to know what each step of the procedure will be like. We have found that this careful orientation before the process begins is one more way we can keep our patients as comfortable as possible during the procedure.

We will explain to them how many dental implants will be placed in the bone of the upper or lower jaws. If a bone graft will be needed to strengthen bone before implant-supported dentures are provided, then we also explain that procedure.

An important step in offering a completely satisfactory experience is discussing the appearance of the denture teeth. As we supply a patient with a complete set of implant overdentures, we can design the smile a patient always wished they had. When we provide partial dentures, our goal is to supply replacement teeth that match remaining natural teeth perfectly and that also provide a beautiful smile for each patient.

Before we begin your procedure for implant overdentures, any tooth extraction that is needed will be completed. While our goal is to save all possible teeth, some teeth may need to be extracted to preserve the health of adjacent teeth and jaw bone.

1. The implant overdenture procedure starts with thorough imaging and examination of any of your remaining teeth, tooth roots, gums and bone. This is key to providing an excellent and long-lasting result for every one of our patients.
2. Any infection under the gum line or in teeth or bone must be remedied before dental implant surgery begins to ensure long-term success.
3. If imaging shows that any bone grafting is needed to correct bone loss in the jaws, this is also done before dental implants are placed.
4. The images are closely studied by our experts to determine the best placement for each implant.
5. The dental implants are then placed.
6. Temporary dentures may be provided while these implants integrate tightly to the bone in the jaws.
7. Healing progress is carefully monitored to ensure the gums and bone heal properly until this integrating is complete.
8. The new partial or complete snap-on dentures are created, exactly designed to fit your mouth and provide you with the smile you want. As we create your partial or complete snap-on dentures, we add artistry to our technical skill. We want to ensure that not only do your new dentures fit perfectly, the color and shape also enhance your appearance.
9. When your implant dentures are complete, you will come in and try out the snap-in dentures, ensuring they fit perfectly and are comfortable. We will make any adjustments needed to these snap-on dentures to ensure they are as comfortable as possible.

Of course, this procedure is preceded by an open discussion of implant-supported denture options. We are glad to tell you about the excellent functionality of our fixed implant-supported dentures. We will explain the benefits of each method of tooth replacement and give you enough information to make the best choice. If it is right for you, we will recommend implant-supported dentures.

In addition to the differences mentioned above, there are more advantages for our patients who get implant-retained overdentures. The first is, of course, the replacement of each missing tooth with one appliance—either the partial denture or complete snap-on denture. Because we’re creating implant-supported dentures, there is no necessity to experience implant surgery for each missing tooth.

We will place a minimum number of dental implants, selecting the strongest areas of jaw bone for each one. There may be four to six dental implants placed to support these dentures, depending on whether it is a partial or complete implant-supported denture.

Our insistence on superior service and results has led us to staff our team with the most skilled practitioners for implant surgery. Successful placement of dental implants requires verifying the good health of bone and remaining teeth, no gum disease, and accurate placement in strong bone. Our skilled dentists precisely plan the place of each implant for the best long-term success. We will also take great care to verify that you are in good overall health so you can get the best results from your treatment at StarBrite Dental.

We have brought highly skilled specialists into our offices to provide services such as dental implant placements and root canals so our patients can get the very best results possible. In this way we ensure that each patient coming to us for restorative dentistry can get the very best care possible. Our insistence on providing the highest technical expertise is another unique advantage associated with coming to us for removable or fixed implant-supported dentures.