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Did you know that one in six American adults aged 65 or older suffers severe tooth loss? Besides limiting your ability to chew food, losing all of your teeth significantly impacts your self-confidence. If you’re looking for a long-term solution to missing teeth, consider denture implants in Reno, NV.  

Denture retention implants are ideal for patients with no teeth in their jaw but have healthy gums and good jawbone density to support dental implants. Moreover, these dentures feature special attachments that snap onto the implants.  

Since they’re securely attached to the implants, denture retention implants won’t fall out or shift in your mouth as traditional removable dentures do. Additionally, denture implants help boost your confidence, restore your chewing power, bring back your ability to speak clearly, and prevent your remaining teeth from shifting out of their correct positions. Above all, they look, feel, and function like natural teeth.  

Factors to Consider Before Getting Denture Implants

Denture implants may be the best option for patients with missing or severely damaged teeth or those looking for a more comfortable alternative to dentures. However, they’re not for everyone.  

While denture implants have no age limit, this tooth-replacement option requires healthy gums, sufficient jawbone density, and good overall health. Patients with a history of smoking, poor oral health, a chronic medical condition that impacts bone healing, or a jaw that isn’t strong enough to support the implants aren’t suited to this treatment.  

For these reasons, it’s best to consult your dental care provider as soon as you experience tooth loss. They’ll conduct an oral examination to determine whether or not you’re a good candidate for this treatment.

The Dental Practice

Qualifications and Experience

Successful denture implant placement involves a surgical process that requires thorough planning, advanced knowledge, and skill. A qualified oral surgeon should perform this procedure. Besides having relevant university training, they must specialize in implant dentistry's surgical and restorative phases and have significant experience under their belt

Your potential oral surgeon should also be up-to-date with methods, information, treatment, and the latest technological advancements in oral surgery. You’ll want to ask them if they’re continuing their education.

Recommendations and Reviews

It's best to work with a highly recommended and rated oral surgeon. Ask your family, friends, or general dentist for recommendations when searching for one in your area. You should also check online reviews of patients who previously worked with the oral surgeon.

Chairside Manner

An oral surgeon who cares about your oral health will go above and beyond to provide you with a comfortable experience. If you struggle with dental anxiety, they’ll walk you through the procedure so you will know what to expect. They may also offer sedation dentistry to ensure a stress-free dental experience.  

Location

Denture implants may require more than a single appointment. Unless you're willing to travel for mile and miles for your next visit, finding a practice close to your home is best.

Gum Health

Poor gum health increases the risk of implant failure. For this reason, denture implants may not be suitable for patients with gingivitis, periodontitis, or other forms of gum disease. These conditions cause damage to the gum tissue and the bone that holds teeth in place. 

Consequently, too much bone loss causes the lack of sufficient bone for the implants to attach. If you have gum disease, it’s best to have it treated first.

Bone Quality

Tooth loss leads to bone deterioration. While the alveolar bone width decreases by an estimated 50% within the first 12 months after the extraction, 30% of the jawbone is lost within the first 12 weeks. In other words, most bone loss happens during the first few months after losing a tooth.

Since the jawbone serves as the denture implant’s foundation, yours should have enough volume so your implants can have something to latch onto. Your oral surgeon will use an x-ray to assess your jaw’s condition before deciding on a suitable treatment.

If you don’t have adequate jawbone strength, they may suggest a preliminary bone graft procedure to encourage new bone growth and strengthen the areas of your jaw where the implants will be placed.  

Overall Health

A weak immune system significantly impacts the healing process of denture implant treatments. Besides being more vulnerable to infection, immunocompromised patients are less likely to recuperate from it. Despite this, some patients may still get denture implants, depending on the severity of their condition.

Meanwhile, patients with uncontrolled diabetes generally experience slow wound recovery. Since denture implants involve a surgical procedure, their wound will take longer to heal. Unfortunately, having open wounds in the mouth for extended periods increases their risk of infection and peri-implantitis.

Moreover, chronic conditions such as heart disease and sleep apnea may also interfere with the anesthesia used during surgery. Bruxism or regular teeth grinding during sleep can also interfere with healing.  

If you're considering denture implants, sharing your medical records with your oral surgeon is critical to ensuring success.

Your Understanding of the Procedure

Although denture implants involve a long and complex process, the results are worth the wait. Understanding the procedure and knowing what to expect will ease your anxiety and uncertainty. Depending on your situation, your dentist may attach your dentures to two or four implants on your upper or lower jaw.  

Moreover, they'll make a small incision to position each implant in the bone. After implant placement, the gum and bone will take a few months to grow in and around the implants. Next, they'll attach a supporting bar to the implants once the gums have healed. The gums will take a few days to heal around the abutment.

Finally, they’ll attach your custom-made dentures securely to the implant. At this point, you’ll be able to see your new smile. While traditional removable dentures typically restrict what you can or can’t do post-treatment, expect your denture implants to act and feel more like your natural teeth.  

Considering Denture Implants in Reno, NV?

At Smile Design Implant Center, we believe that a beautiful and confident smile is linked to a healthier and more fulfilling life. For this reason, our team of dental professionals is committed to helping you improve your health and well-being by providing top-quality dental services that meet your needs. Contact us today to make an appointment.

Get Your Smile Back

We at Smile Design Implant Center exist to help our patients transform their lives and improve their health and quality of life.  We believe that a beautiful, confident smile equates to a healthier, more fulfilling life. We strive to be the premier practice in dental transformation through service and technology.