Implant Retained Dentures in Clearwater, FL

Implant-retained dentures are dentures that are supported in the mouth by dental implants. Normally, dentures rest on the gums, and a special bonding glue is used to keep them in place. With implant-retained dentures, dentures are attached to titanium posts securely bonded into the gums. These are often used when patients are missing teeth in the jaw yet have enough bone to support dental implants.

Implant-retained dentures must be removed and cleaned each day to prevent bacteria and acids from building up. They should also be removed before going to sleep, as dentists do not recommend sleeping in implant-retained dentures. For this reason, some patients prefer implants, like crowns or bridges, that cannot be removed.

These implanted dentures are usually used for teeth on the bottom jaw due to the lack of stability regular dentures have on the lower jaw. Upper dentures are often more stable and do not need extra support by implants, but implants can be used on both the upper and lower jaw depending on the unique needs of the patient.

There are two implants-retained dentures that patients can get. They are either ball-retained or bar-retained. The dentures in both cases will have a base that looks like natural gum tissue and either acrylic or porcelain teeth that mimic the look of real teeth.

Bar-Retained Dentures

These dentures fit over a thin bar of metal that curves along the jaw. The bar is attached to anywhere between 2 and 5 implants in the jaw. The dentures clip into place over the bar so that they can fit securely and comfortably.

Ball-Retained Dentures

Ball-retained dentures involve several implants that each have a metal attachment on them. This attachment fits into a separate attachment that fits onto the denture. These attachments tend to be ball-shaped and fit into sockets in the denture that securely lock them in place.

Both options offer secure dentures for patients missing teeth on the top and bottom jaws of the mouth. Dr. Soni at Soni Smiles is highly trained in implantation, so schedule an appointment at our Clearwater dental office and discuss your treatment options.