85 North Park Avenue Rockville Centre, NY 11570
(516) 763-4500
85 North Park Avenue Rockville Centre, NY 11570
(516) 763-4500
Because the dentures rely on the gum and jawbone underneath for support, they can become loose and ill-fitting a few years after use. The jawbone is continually remodeling and relies on natural tooth roots for stimulation to ensure old bone cells are renewed. Without this stimulation, the jawbone gradually resorbs, so the bony arch that originally supported your teeth gradually becomes narrower and flatter, providing less and less retention for a denture.
As retention reduces, the denture will begin to move around uncomfortably, rubbing on the gums and making it difficult to eat and speak confidently. It is possible to reline the fitting surface of a denture to fit more snugly, but this will not address the underlying problem. Denture implants can provide an excellent solution.
To find out if you are a good candidate for denture implants, visit our dental center in-person or call us at (516) 763-4500 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Adam Shoukry in the Town of Hempstead in Nassau County.
Denture implants are also called implant dentures. Other names include an overdenture or implant overdenture, as the denture fits onto dental implants.
Dental implants are small screws or posts that artificially replace a real tooth root and are inserted directly into the jawbone during a short surgical procedure. Once the implants are in the bone, they soon begin to integrate or fuse with the bone around them, a process called osseointegration that takes between three and six months to fully complete.
Instead of the dentures resting directly on the gums, they are held firmly in place by clipping directly onto the dental implants via special attachments on the fitting surface of the denture.
Sometimes an overdenture will clip onto a bar attached to the implants. Both options ensure the implant denture is held securely in place and cannot move yet is easily removable for cleaning.
Denture implants offer clear advantages for people who are missing their upper or lower teeth or who are entirely edentulous.
Some of the denture implants advantages include:
There are very few disadvantages associated with this treatment compared to traditional dentures.
However, some people may dislike wearing a denture even though it will be held firmly in place and would prefer to have a fixed prosthesis such as an implant bridge. While this may be very understandable, the cost of an overdenture can be significantly less than an implant bridge.
Generally, most people who opt for this treatment are extremely satisfied. While an overdenture’s biting strength is greater than an ordinary denture, it is still less than natural teeth.
An overdenture requires the same approach as any dental implant treatment.
First, you will need a consultation with Dr. Adam Shoukry to assess your dental and medical health and suitability for implant dentures treatment.
As a general rule, anyone with good dental and medical health will be suitable, provided there are over age 18, and their jaws have finished growing.
Being a little older isn’t usually a barrier to treatment, and implant dentures have helped many people who are well into their 80s or even their 90s enjoy life more fully.
I’m glad have finally made the decision to get implant dentures to fix my smile. I am incredibly satisfied with my results, Dr. Russo is very professional and kind, he thoroughly explains every step, and his team is excellent; they always provided me with the support I needed.
After your initial consultation, the next step is to have diagnostic tests, including:
These diagnostic tests provide our oral maxillofacial surgeon with detailed diagnostic information about your jawbone so they can identify the precise location for each implant. Your treatment is planned using specialized software, and once the plan is complete, we create a surgical stent for use during surgery.
Because relatively few dental implants are needed to secure a denture, the procedure is quite quick.
Preplanning your treatment ensures it is smoother and more comfortable, so the process should be easy to tolerate. If you require additional sedation, please talk to us as we want to ensure you feel relaxed during this procedure.
Sometimes it is possible to fit your implant dentures soon after surgery, using the overdenture to splint the dental implants together. This is important because the implants mustn’t move during healing. We may be able to adapt an existing denture for use during this time.
Once healing is complete, your temporary overdenture is replaced with your permanent denture implants.
It’s normal to feel slight discomfort or swelling once the anesthesia wears off, but these feelings should be easy to control with over-the-counter painkillers. Otherwise, we can prescribe pain medication, and we may wish you to take antibiotics and use an antimicrobial mouth rinse for the first week following surgery.
Our dental team will provide precise instructions on caring for your mouth while it heals, including which foods to eat. It is best to stick to a softer diet for the first 6 to 8 weeks after surgery to help prevent any unwanted stress or strain on your dental implants.
Dr. Adam Shoukry, DDS, is a cosmetic dentist who strives to provide each of his patients with personalized care and educate them on the state of their dental health so that they can make informed decisions. Dr. Shoukry really enjoys his work and is committed to continued education, having attended several accredited courses in every aspect of dentistry.
Dr. Shoukry graduated from NYU College of Dentistry with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and then completed his general practice residency at Nassau University Medical Center. Being a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Shoukry strives to provide comprehensive dental examinations, a full range of cosmetic treatments, and the best restorative oral health care available.