What Are Implant Retained Dentures?

Dentures have a long, storied past. Ancient civilizations fashioned dentures from animal teeth, bone, wood, ivory, gold, and even lead. Fortunately, modern dentistry has come a long way, and we now have dentures that look and feel almost exactly like your natural teeth. 

But the advancements didn’t stop there. 

Implant-retained dentures take tooth replacement to another level, offering even more support and comfort. 

Jason Alsbury, LD, and our team at Apex Denture Studio are dedicated to providing our patients with as many options as possible, combining the best of both tooth-replacement worlds to create a seamless smile. 

Here’s everything you should know about implant-retained dentures. 

The implants behind the scenes

If you’re missing teeth, you’ve likely gotten to know some of your options. You may have discovered that dental implants are a clear winner when it comes to permanent tooth replacement. The metal rod implanted in your jawbone gradually becomes a permanent fixture of your mouth, prompting bone and gum health and giving you the most natural smile you can imagine. 

However, implants aren’t for everyone. 

Dental implants alone work best for replacing one or two teeth, so you may have counted yourself out for implants, knowing you’ve got more than one tooth missing in a row (or a whole set of teeth missing). 

Enter implant-retained dentures. 

The best of both worlds

Replacing all your teeth with implants may not be realistic, but if you’re wary of committing to dentures alone, you have another option. 

Implant-retained dentures (or implant-supported dentures) are artificial teeth anchored by dental implants. The anchor means your dentures won’t slip and slide in your mouth as you chew and talk but remain fixed in place. Our patients love them because they:

• Are comfortable and sleek
• Don’t require adhesive
• Stay in place even when talking and chewing
• Looking like your natural teeth
• Are long-lasting

We thoroughly review your gums, teeth, and jawbone to ensure you're a candidate. You may need to see your regular dentist to address gum disease and other oral health issues before we can proceed. 

We may recommend a partial or full set of implant-retained dentures based on the number of teeth you're missing. 

The process

The first step is your implant surgery. During this procedure, we insert the metal post of the implant carefully into your jawbone. Depending on how many teeth you’re missing and where you’re missing teeth, we may recommend having two or more implants.

Then, once your mouth has healed, we take measurements and molds of your mouth to create your dentures. 

Your dentures are created in a lab and then returned to us so we can place them in your mouth. The dentures slide perfectly over the implant post and snap into place. 

The results

After your implant surgery, denture fitting, and final appointment, you’re finally ready to face the world with a brand-new smile. The best part? No one will ever know you had your teeth worked on — you may even eventually forget which teeth are false. 

Implant-retained dentures last for years when you maintain a consistent oral hygiene routine, but don’t be alarmed if they chip or crack. We can repair damaged dentures and restore your smile quickly. 

Are you interested in learning more about your tooth replacement options? Call our friendly staff at 509-204-8305 or use our online booking tool to schedule an appointment. We proudly serve patients in the Yakima and Richland, Washington, areas.