Dental Implants: How Can They Help Secure Different Types of Dentures?

If you're tired of loose dentures slipping or shifting at the worst possible time, you're not alone. Many patients struggle with the daily frustrations of removable dentures. Dental implants can help secure your dentures, offering you lasting peace of mind. They provide a strong, stable foundation, like roots for your new smile.

At Complete Dental Arts in Newnan, Georgia,  Charley Cheney, DMD, and the team are here to help you understand how dental implants may work for you. 

Let’s examine how dental implants support different types of dentures and what that means for your comfort, confidence, and quality of life.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are small, screw-like posts that are made from titanium or zirconia. Dr. Cheney places them directly into your jawbone, where they act like roots for artificial teeth. 

Over time, the bone fuses to the implant in a process called osseointegration. You get a rock-solid foundation for attaching crowns and bridges or dentures.

Implant-supported dentures anchor directly to the posts. That means no slipping, messy adhesives, and much better bite strength than traditional dentures.

Full dentures 

Traditional full dentures rest on the gums and depend on suction, which means they can slip while you talk or eat. Implant-supported dentures provide a more reliable solution by snapping securely into place, utilizing 2-6 dental implants per arch. 

Once they heal, you have a firm, stable fit that lets you eat a wider variety of foods, speak more clearly, and enjoy daily life without the worry of shifting dentures.

Partial dentures 

If you still have healthy, natural teeth, a partial denture could be the right fit, especially when it’s supported by an implant. 

Instead of relying on metal clasps, implant-supported partial dentures use a precisely placed implant to anchor the denture only where it’s needed, providing a more secure and comfortable fit with less impact on your surrounding teeth.

The implants act as an anchor point, holding your denture firmly in place while helping to prevent neighboring teeth from shifting, which is one of the most common issues with traditional partial dentures.

Overdentures 

Overdentures combine the best of both worlds. They resemble traditional dentures but attach to implants using clips, bars, or ball attachments. They're removable for cleaning but secure enough for all-day wear.

Overdentures are ideal for patients who want to balance affordability, functionality, and ease of use. Overdentures typically require fewer implants and may be retrofitted to your existing dentures.

Improved comfort, bone health, and quality of life

Dental implants stabilize your dentures and help preserve your jawbone. Without natural tooth roots or implants, the jaw begins to shrink over time. Bone loss can make dentures more difficult to fit and affect your facial structure.

Implants stimulate the bone, just like natural teeth, resulting in better long-term oral health and a more youthful facial appearance.

Plus, you’ll feel more confident in social settings.

Are implants right for your dentures?

Not everyone is a candidate for implants. Dr. Cheney assesses your bone density, gum health, and overall medical history. But even if you've worn dentures for years, advancements in grafting and implant technology mean you likely have options.

Contact the office or schedule an online appointment today to explore options that may suit you.