If you have several missing teeth or have lost an entire arch of teeth, you are a good candidate for fixed dentures. Fixed dentures are supported by dental implants, providing patients with a complete set of teeth once again. Dentures are recommended for patients because they allow a patient to have a complete smile once again, as the teeth look and feel just like your natural teeth.
Another benefit to fixed dentures is that they will reduce the risk of bone loss, which could alter your facial structure and shape. Dental implants have a 98% success rate and are considered a permanent solution for missing teeth. If you are looking to restore the appearance of your smile, turn to our team at Bismarck Advanced Dental for our expert fixed denture services.
How Does a Fixed Denture Work?
Fixed dentures are possible if you have lost an entire arch of teeth (either the top or bottom). If you have lost multiple teeth and only have a few left, removing those teeth due to their poor structure and replacing them with a fixed denture can be an effective solution. A fixed denture will require the placement of permanent dental implants surgically inserted into the jaw bone.
The dental implant will bond with the jawbone, making it a part of your natural smile. The number of dental implants needed to support the denture varies based on your bone density. The majority of our dental implant patients will receive at least four dental implants to support the denture. When the implants are inserted and bonded, a denture will be made to click on to the implants, allowing you to have functional teeth again.
Dental Implant Surgery
The surgery for dental implants is relatively straightforward. The procedure is performed in our office, where patients are given local anesthesia prior to Dr. Hoerner working on the area. Depending upon how many implants you need, expect on the surgery taking one to three hours. Following the surgery, patients are given at-home instructions on how to care for the new teeth. Once the area has completely healed, we will be able to install the fixed denture.
One worry a lot of patients have is the healing time. Will you have teeth during this time or will you be toothless? Fortunately, our dental implant procedure allows you to have temporary teeth attached to the implant, so you can continue to have teeth to chew on while your body is healing. We do recommend you eat softer foods and try to avoid disturbing the implants as much as you possibly can to avoid pain and having the dental implants fail.
There are multiple versions of fixed dentures, so the procedure that is best for you will be determined when you visit our office and we can conduct an oral examination. Dr. Hoerner needs to identify your bone density and volume to determine if your bone will be strong enough to support a denture. Here are the different options of fixed dentures:
- Removable overdenture: This is a denture anchored on implants and is the alternative option for fixed bridges.
- Implant anchored overdenture (removable): This implant is designed to be a removable full denture that is connected by using a ball or bar attachment. Normally two or more implants are added to the front of the jaw, helping to keep the dentures in place.
We recommend scheduling a free consultation with Bismarck Advanced Dental and Implants to learn more about the dental implant procedures that are best for you. Our goal is to restore smiles, thereby allowing patients to regain confidence in their appearance.
Contact our North Dakota dental implant office at 701-390-1920 for more information about fixed dentures.