Can I Get Dental Implants If I Have Dentures?

When it comes to tooth replacement options, dentures can be a great cost-effective solution, particularly if you are looking to replace a whole row of teeth at once. However, they do come with a few drawbacks.

For example, you may find that your dentures are not quite as comfortable as you anticipated, or you might have difficulty speaking with them. Additionally, the limitations they place on your diet can be difficult to deal with. If that is the case for you, you might want to look into other options, such as dental implants.

Many patients who follow this path on their tooth replacement journey worry that having had dentures already, they may no longer be able to receive dental implants. Fortunately, it is definitely possible for you to receive dental implants after having dentures.

However, there are some factors to consider prior to undergoing the implant procedure that can help you better determine whether this procedure is right for you.

Dental Implants and Bone Density

It is crucial that you have enough bone density to support a dental implant, which can be difficult if you have had dentures for a long time.

You maintain bone density through constant stimulation from your tooth roots. This means that, without teeth, bone growth is not stimulated, and you are inevitably going to lose density. Patients who use dentures to replace their teeth may not have the bone density required for dental implants.

What If I Do Not Have the Bone Density for Dental Implants?

Even if you lack the bone density for dental implants, there is still a way to regain it. With the help of a bone graft treatment, you can strengthen your jawbone enough to support your dental implants.

During a bone graft treatment, an oral surgeon takes bone material from another part of the body and then grafts it onto the jawbone. This procedure will add more time to the process of receiving dental implants, but it will make it possible to replace those dentures.

Replacing Several Teeth with Dental Implants

One of the best advantages of dentures is that one prosthetic device can replace an entire row of teeth at once without the need for oral surgery. If you wanted to replace all of your teeth with dental implants, the procedure would be more complicated, and recovery time would likely be more significant.

However, with the help of All-On-4 implants, you can replace a whole row of teeth with just four dental implants.

What Are All-On-4 Implants?

All-On-4 implants are a procedure that combines dental implants with a denture to quickly and easily restore form and function to your mouth. Your oral surgeon will strategically place four implants in your mouth, which will then have a denture fixed to them.

This allows you to enjoy the strength and support of implants with a minimal amount of oral surgery, and it will also help to stimulate bone growth.

Replacing a Few Teeth with Dental Implants

If you have a partial denture that is replacing a few missing teeth at once, you can also switch to dental implants without having to replace every individual tooth with an implant-supported bridge.

What Is an Implant-Supported Bridge?

An implant-supported bridge is a dental bridge that gains its support from a pair of dental implants placed on either side of the bridge’s false teeth. This reduces the amount of surgery required while also allowing you to take advantage of the extra stability and bone growth stimulation that implants can provide.

Am I a Good Candidate for Dental Implants?

If you want to switch from dentures to dental implants, there are certain requirements that should be met in order to ensure the procedure is successful. Often, if you do not initially meet the requirements, your dentist can work with you to correct the issues of concern.

Typically, you are considered to be a good candidate for dental implants if you:

●      Have sufficient bone density

●      Have healthy gyms

●      Have good oral health in general

●      Maintain good oral hygiene

●      Do not use tobacco

●      Do not suffer from bruxism

It is best to speak with your dentist if you believe dental implants might be the best option for you. They can perform an oral exam and go over your oral health history in order to determine whether you would be a good candidate for the procedure.

To learn more about dental implants and other dental procedures in Illinois, check out Oral and Facial Surgery of Naperville’s blog.