Dentures in Las Vegas

According to the American College of Prosthodontists, 120 million Americans have at least one missing tooth, and more than 36 million Americans do not have any teeth at all. In the past, one of the only options available for people missing teeth was to turn to uncomfortable and limiting traditional dentures, but that’s no longer the case. 

At Vegas Dental Experts in Las Vegas, NV, we offer implant-retained dentures to help you feel more confident every time you smile while still allowing you to enjoy the foods you love. Learn more about these mini implants here. 

What Are Implant-Retained Dentures?

Traditional dentures rest above the gumline and require the use of adhesives. Implant-retained dentures are different. These dentures stay put, held in place by dental implants that prevent the dentures from moving or slipping. 

Dental implants are titanium screws that go right into your jawbone. The dentures go over the implants and snap into place. The number of implants you need depends on a few things, including:

• The size of the denture
• Stability goals
• Budget

If you have missing teeth, mini dental implants can be an excellent choice. These implants, together with implant-retained dentures, can replace all your teeth, if necessary, or work as an upper denture or lower denture. 

Mini implants can sometimes work on their own because they fuse to the bone over time, but in most cases, we recommend adding implant-retained dentures for maximum stability. 

Mini implants are also more affordable than other types of dental implants, and the surgical procedure is quicker. Even the recovery process is faster, allowing you to get back to your regular eating habits much sooner than with other options.  

The two main types of implant-retained dentures are ball-retained and bar-retained. Ball-retained dentures have metal attachments on the implants that connect to the denture. The attachments at the denture resemble sockets, while the ones on the implants are ball-shaped. The ball snaps into the socket and holds the denture in place. 

Bar-retained dentures require a minimum of two implants placed into the jawbone. A metal bar that fits the curve of your jaw attaches to these implants. When the bar is in place, you can fit the dentures over it, snapping everything into place. 

Benefits of Implant-Retained Dentures

Mini implants combined with implant-retained dentures can offer many benefits that traditional dentures cannot. A few of the most important are below. 

Increased Comfort

Traditional dentures can be uncomfortable and cause sores and mouth tenderness when they move around. 

Because mini dental implants hold the implant-retained dentures in place, they eliminate the need to worry about movement-related discomfort. In addition, you don’t have to worry about dealing with adhesives, which can also be uncomfortable. 

No More Slipping 

One of the most frustrating aspects of traditional dentures is their tendency to loosen and slip. No matter what type of adhesive they use, most people experience denture slippage with the traditional option. 

With implant-retained dentures, the mini dental implants work to firmly hold the dentures in place. The more implants you have, the firmer the denture will be. You can speak without fear and eat the foods you would have to deny yourself if you had traditional dentures. You can once again eat foods like corn on the cob without worrying. 

Preserved Jawbone

When you lose a tooth, your jawbone can slowly begin to deteriorate. The bone receives stimulation from the tooth’s root, so when there’s no longer a root in place, the bone can begin to break down. A mini dental implant functions like a root, providing the stimulation the bone needs and helping to preserve your jawbone. 

Long-Term Solution

Although traditional dentures are sturdy, you still need to replace them after a few years. That’s not the case with dental implants. They can last for decades.

Improved Bite

Traditional dentures will never feel exactly like natural teeth. Therefore, you may have a limited bite force if you turn to that option. With implant-retained dentures, you get the full force of your jaw behind each implant. That force allows you to chew all the foods your natural teeth would be able to handle. 

More Natural Appearance

Mini dental implants also look more natural than traditional dentures. When you’re confident in how your teeth look, you’ll be happy to smile and interact with others.

The Implant-Retained Dentures Process

To find out whether you’re a good candidate to benefit from implant-retained dentures, the first step is to schedule a free consultation with us. 

During your consultation, we will assess the condition of your teeth to see if this treatment option is the right one for you. Dr. Harvey Chin will explain the entire process so that you know what to expect on the day of the procedure. 

If you have concerns about affording the procedure, we can walk you through the various payment options we provide. 

The best candidates for this type of procedure are in good overall health, largely because getting implant-retained dentures is a surgical procedure. It is also necessary for a patient to have a sufficient amount of jawbone on which to place the implants. 

If you have any signs of gum disease, we will need to treat that before we perform the procedure. 

To get the most accurate results, we will use imaging technology to produce renderings of your mouth. These renderings will allow us to find the best locations for the mini dental implants. Dr. Chin will then make an impression of your teeth and schedule a follow-up appointment to place your implants. 

On the day of the procedure, Dr. Chin will administer a local anesthetic to keep you comfortable as he sets the mini dental implants in place. 

One of the best things about mini dental implants is that the recovery process is short, and there’s no need for sutures. It is still important to keep the implants clean and to give the area time to heal. During this period, you may have short-term limitations on certain foods, and you may need to eat only soft foods for a couple of days. 

Implant-Retained Denture Maintenance

Maintaining your dentures will keep them looking and feeling their best. It can also contribute to your oral health. 

It is important that you remove your dentures before you sleep and brush them as you would your natural teeth. Then you should place them in cleaning solution and water. Next, you want to brush around the implants with a soft brush. Avoid any abrasive products. 

In the morning, remember to wash off the cleaning solution from the denture before inserting them. 

You may also want to consider periodical professional cleaning and maintenance for your dentures. With proper care, you can expect your dentures to last for many years. 

If you’re not sure how to keep your dentures or implants clean, we’re happy to give you appropriate guidance. 

Turn to Vegas Dental Experts

At Vegas Dental Experts, you can get specialized treatment from skilled practitioners in the field. With over 40 years of experience and using the latest technological advances, Dr. Harvey Chin provides quality care to help you regain your confidence and your smile. 

Dr. Chin offers treatments you can rely on, including less-invasive options like mini dental implants and implant-retained dentures. 

Call Vegas Dental Experts today to schedule your free consultation and let us help you reclaim your smile, and help you eat your favorite foods again.