Implant Dentures
Why Implant Retained Dentures?
There is a certain feeling each of us has when we look in the mirror and feel really confident about our appearance. It sets the mood for our day or social function, and sends us out into the world with a smile. Simply stated, our level of confidence can dramatically affect our lives.
Unfortunately, missing teeth, medically known as edentulism, keeps many people from feeling their best. Edentulism not only affects your self-confidence, but can also have a dramatic impact on the quality of your life.
When teeth are removed, our body assumes there is no need for the bone that supported the teeth; after all, that's the primary job of your jawbone. Over time the bone slowly, yet progressively diminishes. This process, called resorption, occurs at a more rapid rate if all teeth in the jaw are missing. Left untreated, the loss of jawbone can progress so far that even the best quality denture will no longer function satisfactorily.
Fortunately, dental implants, a discovery by Swedish scientist and orthopaedic surgeon Dr P.I. Branemark, has led to a vastly improved quality of life for many patients who suffer from the problems associated with missing teeth.
Not just for people who want to replace one or two missing teeth, dental implants are medically pure titanium devices that are placed into the jawbone. They act as an anchor to provide a solid base for a denture.
Fixed or Removable?
Implants can be used to support a denture that is removable for cleaning (known as an Implant Retained Denture), or that is permanently attached (called a Fixed Appliance Restoration).
Both systems have their benefits and the requirements of the individual will guide us in our recommendation. Occasionally a combination of systems is used so that, for instance, an upper denture is fixed and the lower is removable.
Benefits
Improved Speech
Ill fitting dentures slip and slide around the mouth. The facial muscles become tense in an attempt to hold the teeth in place. This often results in mumbling, slurred speech or clicking noises. Implant supported dentures allow you to speak with confidence in a relaxed and natural tone.
Eat Better
As the jawbone shrinks, your chewing efficiency is reduced, making it difficult to eat certain foods. Implant dentures can restore chewing efficiency comparable to that of natural teeth. Implants will allow you to enjoy foods like corn and apples that you have avoided for years. Implant supported dentures can triple your biting force, allowing you to eat foods that your natural teeth were able to cope with.
Improved Comfort
Implant dentures are effectively anchored to your jaw. Although they can be removed for cleaning, they are otherwise attached, providing a stable surface for eating and laughing. Lack of movement equals lack of irritation.
Improved Self Esteem
Considering all the other benefits, chances are that dental implants will improve your overall self-esteem and you will feel better about yourself. You can regain nearly all the capabilities you had with your natural teeth, giving you renewed confidence and allowing you to enjoy life to the fullest. Your denture will not slip, affect your speech or dictate what you can and cannot eat. Now the choice is yours!
EndoTech - Your Implant Denture
In response to patient demand, and after many years of clinical research, DentureTech have developed a specifically designed implant denture, EndoTech.
Your EndoTech denture will be completed in two stages. The first stage is completed prior to your first implant surgery, the second stage after your final surgery.
Using techniques that can only be successfully completed by the most advanced Clinical Technicians, your EndoTech denture will be hand crafted using the highest quality materials, selected from around the world. Your EndoTech denture is comprehensively guaranteed. Your denture should be checked each year to determine whether it is still fitting correctly and performing at its optimal level, or whether it may require relining. We are pleased to offer annual checks free of charge to our patients.
Surgery
Placing the implants involves two minor day surgeries for most people, and is often described as being less painful than having a tooth extracted.
Stage One
Under deep sedation, the titanium implants are placed in your jaw. The small incision is then stitched and the patient taken to recovery before being sent home. The area is allowed to heal and the implant to integrate. You wear your EndoTech Stage I denture during this time.
Stage Two
After integration the implant is uncovered and the caps fitted. It is now time to visit DentureTech to have Stage II of your EndoTech denture completed. At this phase we modify your denture to take the attachments that fit over the top of your implants.
For real life feedback from patients who are enjoying the benefits of an implant retained EndoTech denture, Click Here.
Choosing A Specialist
Implant dentistry is an intricate and specialised field. It involves careful planning and should only be entrusted to highly trained and experienced dentists or oral surgeons.
When it comes to choosing a dentist or specialist to perform your surgery, we would be delighted to make a recommendation. We know many of the practitioners throughout Auckland and deal with their patients on a daily basis. This puts us in an ideal position to make a recommendation based on your specific needs.
Making The Decisions
To find out whether an implant retained denture may be right for you we invite you to make an appointment for a complimentary consultation. Click here to make an appointment.