Fixed (Implant-Supported) Dentures

The Dental Implant Procedure

The first thing that needs to happen is the removal of any remaining natural teeth that are not healthy in the upper or lower arch. Your dentist will then perform a thorough analysis of your mouth and jaw, in order to plan out the placement of your implants and establish the contours and tooth size of your denture. Note: We can often supply you with a temporary denture so that you have teeth on the day of your dental implant surgery. Your permanent replacement teeth will arrive when your dental implants have fully healed. 

Sometimes, it is discovered that a patient doesn’t have enough bone height to support dental implants. In those cases, a bone grafting procedure is done to increase the bone volume and make the jaw receptive to the implants. At the same time, if there is any problem with the health of the gums, teeth or bone, such as hidden infections or gum disease, that problem must be fully resolved before dental implant services go forward. 

The number of implants needed will depend on the condition of your jaw, but the number is usually either four or six for both the upper and lower arches. The implants essentially serve as the roots for your new set of teeth and are made from titanium, a metal that bonds well with human bone.

After the Dental Implants Are Placed

Once the implants are in place, there is a healing and bonding process that needs to happen before the next step in the procedure can go forward. While you’re waiting for each dental implant to firmly establish itself, your dentist will provide some temporary teeth to help with chewing and so that you won’t feel self-conscious about the temporary absence of teeth. 

When your dental implants have bonded well to the bone in your upper and lower jaw bones, your new fixed dentures will be ready to be put in place. There will be attachment points on your new denture that will connect with each dental implant. Your denture will either clip into those connection points and be removable, or it will be permanently fixed and only be removable by your dentist. You and your dentist will discuss these options and come to the right decision together. 

Once you have your new replacement teeth, it is important that you continue to receive skilled professional care for your mouth, gums, bone and dentures. Regular visits to our office will enable us to examine the denture for any signs of wear, and take x-rays to verify that your bone structure and implants remain healthy. We will also check your gums to ensure that they are fully healthy. This is an important part of the long-term success of your implant-supported dentures.