Living with loose, uncomfortable dentures can feel like a constant battle, making it difficult to eat and smile with confidence and comfort. Whether you’re avoiding your favorite foods or feeling self-conscious about your smile slipping during conversations, traditional dentures often fall short of providing the confidence and functionality you deserve. Fortunately, implant-supported dentures offer a stable and secure alternative that eliminates these concerns, allowing you to show off your smile with confidence.
At Richard Hardt’s Live Oak Dental Group, we understand these challenges and offer implant-supported dentures as a revolutionary solution that combines the stability of dental implants with the convenience of removable dentures. With over 34 years of experience, Dr. Hardt, Dr. Lewis, Dr. Cruz, and our skilled team can help you rediscover the joy of eating, speaking, and smiling with confidence through implant-supported dentures.
What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?
Implant-supported dentures offer a middle ground between traditional dentures and permanent implant restorations. This innovative solution utilizes two to four strategically placed dental implants to securely anchor your dentures in place, eliminating the movement and instability that often plague conventional dentures.
Unlike traditional dentures that rely on adhesives and suction to stay in place, implant-supported dentures snap onto implant attachments, providing a secure foundation for your prosthetic teeth. With the restoration’s removability, your dentures remain firmly in place during daily activities, and you can easily remove them for cleaning and maintenance.
Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures
The advantages of implant-supported dentures can transform every aspect of your life, from enjoying your favorite meals to confidently engaging in conversations. These benefits include the following:
Improved Function and Comfort
With more stability and restored smile function, you’ll notice major improvements to your quality of life, starting with the ability to eat foods you’ve avoided for years. The secure attachment allows you to bite into apples, chew steak, and enjoy corn on the cob without worry about your dentures shifting or becoming dislodged.
Comfort levels increase substantially when your dentures aren’t constantly moving against your gums. The reduced friction and pressure points mean fewer sore spots and less irritation throughout the day.
Enhanced Speech and Confidence
Speech improvement represents another significant benefit that patients notice immediately. Traditional dentures can cause clicking sounds, slurring, or difficulty pronouncing certain words. The stable foundation provided by implant-supported dentures eliminates these issues, allowing you to speak clearly and confidently in any situation.
What to Expect During the Implant-Supported Denture Treatment Process
Your journey to implant-supported dentures begins with a comprehensive examination to evaluate your oral health, bone density, and overall candidacy for the procedure. We will review your medical history, take detailed imaging, and discuss your goals and expectations, so you can make an informed decision about your treatment.
The implant placement procedure typically requires local anesthesia or other sedation options for those with higher anxiety levels. It takes about one to two hours, depending on the number of implants needed. For more complex cases, we work closely with skilled oral surgeons in Porterville to ensure you receive the most appropriate care for your specific needs. The implants need time to integrate with your jawbone, a process that usually takes three to six months. During this healing period, you can continue wearing your existing dentures or temporary prosthetics.
Once the implants have fully integrated, we’ll take impressions to create your custom dentures with the appropriate attachments. The fitting process involves multiple appointments to ensure a proper fit, comfort, and optimal function.
Are You a Candidate for Implant-Supported Dentures?
According to the American College of Prosthodontics, about 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, with about 40 million missing all their teeth. However, implant-supported dentures may not be the right solution for everyone. Good candidates for implant-supported dentures include individuals with the following:
- Adequate bone density to support implants
- Healthy gums
- Realistic expectations about the treatment outcomes
- Controlled medical conditions, such as diabetes
We will evaluate these factors during your consultation to determine if implant-supported dentures are appropriate for your situation. If you qualify for this treatment, you can expect the implants themselves to last for decades, and the denture to last five years or more with proper care and regular maintenance from our dedicated professionals.
Schedule Your Consultation with Richard Hardt’s Live Oak Dental Group Today to Learn More About Implant-Supported Dentures
If you’re tired of dealing with loose, uncomfortable dentures, implant-supported dentures may be the solution you’ve been seeking. Dr. Richard Hardt, Dr. Jackson Lewis, Dr. Irene Cruz, and our experienced team at Richard Hardt’s Live Oak Dental Group have helped patients achieve stable, functional smiles through advanced dental treatments for decades.
Don’t let uncomfortable dentures limit your life any longer. Our team will evaluate your specific needs and help you determine if implant-supported dentures are right for you. Call us today at (559) 784-6523 or complete our contact form to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward a more confident smile.
