Implant Dentures – Corpus Christi, TX

What Are Implant Dentures?

Many patients are unaware that their jawbone starts thinning after adult teeth are lost because there are no longer roots in place to stimulate new bone growth with each bite down. Standard dentures rely on a firm suction against your connective tissues to remain in place, and as your jaw degenerates, they can become easily destabilized or dislodged because they no longer form a tight enough bond.

Implant dentures involve placing anywhere from four to eight support rods into your jawbone that will anchor a specially designed set of teeth to rebuild your arches more reliably. There are two options for this procedure, outlined in more detail below.

Fixed/Permanent Implant Dentures

This method involves placing the required number of dental implants into your jawbone to support full dentures that are not intended to be removed once they’re placed. Unlike standard dentures, these remain in your mouth 24/7 and should only be taken out by a qualified professional, like Dr. Pitarra.

Removable Implant Dentures

Sometimes also referred to as “Snap-On Dentures”, this option involves placing special dental implants containing clips (bar-retained) or ball sockets (ball-retained) to hold your dentures in place. This allows patients to remove them when necessary, but otherwise, provides a strong anchor that can withstand the force of daily biting and chewing.

The Implant Denture Process

Dr. Pitarra has advanced training and state-of-the-art equipment to perform each step of the process, including oral surgery. However, you must schedule a consultation to ensure you’re a good candidate before proceeding. Our team will examine your mouth to ensure no pre-existing issues, like gum disease, interfere with the results. We’ll also take X-rays to verify whether your jaw is strong enough to support dental implants. If not, an additional bone graft procedure may be necessary to bulk it up enough to continue.

For the surgery itself, we’ll start by numbing your mouth and/or sedating you to help you remain calm and comfortable. Then, we’ll create small incisions in your tissues to strategically place the necessary number of implants. It can take 3 to 6+ months to recover because your jaw must generate enough new bone growth to fuse with these support rods.

Once you’ve recovered sufficiently, we’ll schedule an appointment to take impressions of your mouth, which will be used to design a customized set of dentures intended to resemble your natural teeth and gums. This information is sent to a dental lab, which uses it to design your one-of-a-kind restoration. When it’s delivered, we’ll schedule a final fitting and provide any necessary aftercare instructions.

Am I a Candidate for Implant Dentures?

Although this treatment can potentially benefit anyone missing all their teeth, that doesn’t mean it’s the right solution to meet everyone’s unique needs. You might be considered a good candidate if you have:

• Positive overall health. This treatment requires oral surgery, so we need to determine that your body is healthy enough to safely undergo the procedure.
• Sufficient jawbone density. If your jaw has already lost too much mass, you might require additional bone grafts to proceed with dental implants.
• Consistent dental hygiene practices. You will need to demonstrate that you can maintain your new teeth with regular brushing and flossing, routine dental exams, and by quitting bad habits, like smoking tobacco products.

Benefits of Combining Dentures & Dental Implants

Getting implant dentures involves an investment of both time and resources, but they provide several unique advantages that make it a worthwhile process, including:

• Stronger bite force. Dental implants are the only replacement teeth that can return up to 80% or more of your original chewing power, so you can enjoy more of your favorite foods.
• Enhanced enunciation. With a sturdy, reliable restoration in place, you can overcome speech impediments, such as a lisp or slur, caused by gaps in your grin.
• Boosted confidence. You’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing your prosthetics are firmly anchored and won’t fall out at inopportune moments, like mid-meal or during a conversation.
• Preserve your jawbone. Your implants function like roots to keep your jawbone active and healthy, preventing facial collapse, sunken cheekbones, and additional wrinkles.
• Long-lasting results. Dental implants become a more permanent part of your mouth and can last 20+ years with the right care.