I’ve had dentures for a little over twenty-five years. While they have been a decent replacement for me, they’ve never been attractive. I met someone who has dental implant dentures instead of just dentures. They look much nicer. Is it possible for me to get a beautiful smile after all this time?
Lilly
Dear Lilly,
Yes, it is possible for you to get a beautiful smile again. Believe it or not, you can even have a beautiful smile with dentures, though with dental implants you have a much better quality of life. The key to a beautiful smile, no matter what the restoration, is to go to an expert cosmetic dentist.
When it comes to finding a great cosmetic dentist who can design a stunning smile, look for someone who has reached accreditation with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. AACD accredited dentists are at the top of their field and have the artistry to make you proud to smile.
In your case, because you are wanting to switch to implant supported dentures, you will also want a dentist who is skilled in this area as well. It is always better if you find a dentist who has also pursued the training necessary to do the surgical part of the procedure as well. Otherwise, you can end up with communication problems between the dentist and oral surgeon. When they’re the same person, there is no chance the implants will be placed in the wrong spots necessary for correct restorations.
Dental Implants with Bone Loss
Because you’ve been wearing dentures for so long, it is very likely you’ve lost a great deal of bone structure in your jaw. As you can see from the pictures above, it requires you have enough bone structure to hold the dental implants in place. Because of that, you’ll need to have some bone grafting done. This is an outpatient procedure which can build back up the lost bone.
Once that is done and you’ve healed, your dentist can place between four to six implants. Once the implants have integrated with your bone, a new denture can be attached to them. These implant overdentures are permanent and secure. The best part is the implants will protect your bone from shrinking any further.
This blog is brought to you by Des Moines Dentist Dr. Phelan Thomas.