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Dental Implants

What are Dental Implants?

Clinically and commercially, dental implants have held fast to their top ranking as the most ideal replacement for natural teeth for more than four decades. Implants are stand-alone artificial teeth with titanium posts that are fused directly to the jawbone for permanent stability. When the implant post is fitted with a lifelike dental crown, it bears a remarkable resemblance to a real tooth in terms of its physical appearance and also its function. An implant can also contribute to the support of a dental bridge, partial denture, or a complete denture, creating the most effective tooth replacement alternative in dental history.

What happens after tooth loss?

After a natural tooth has been lost, a large percentage of the volume of the jawbone is also lost. The bone undergoes a natural process call resorption (bone loss and shrinkage), and the remaining teeth can be expected to fall out of alignment, leading to a significant deterioration in your oral health.

Crowding, shifting, unbalanced chewing patterns, jaw joint dysfunction, and a change in your physical appearance are the undesirable consequences of tooth loss. However, many of these side-effects can be prevented or reduced when you select a tooth replacement that can perform the same duties as a natural tooth.

Implant-retained dentures: Overdentures vs Hybrid Dentures

When replacing missing teeth, modern dentistry offers implant-supported solutions that provide better stability, comfort, and confidence than traditional dentures. Two of the most common types are implant-supported overdentures and hybrid dentures. While both rely on implants for retention, they differ significantly in design, function, permanence, and cost. Understanding these differences can help you choose the replacement option that best fits your lifestyle, oral health needs, and budget.

What is an overdenture?

An implant-supported overdenture is a removable denture that attaches to dental implants placed in the jawbone. The denture snaps onto the implants with special attachments, providing significantly more stability than a traditional denture. Overdentures are designed to be removed daily for cleaning and maintenance. They are often recommended for patients who want improved chewing ability and denture retention without committing to a fully fixed restoration.

What is a hybrid denture?

A hybrid implant-retained denture is a fixed, non-removable full-arch restoration that is securely attached to multiple dental implants. Unlike overdentures, hybrid dentures are only removed by a dental professional. Hybrids combine the strength of implants with a full set of replacement teeth, offering a solution that looks, feels, and functions much like natural teeth. This option is ideal for patients seeking maximum stability, chewing efficiency, and aesthetics.
Dental Implants | Friendly Dental | Lancaster OH

Can I benefit from implants?

Implants are appropriate for virtually any healthy adult with missing teeth. Whether the extent of your tooth loss is limited or generalized, implants can be customized to fill the void left by your real teeth. Implants are right for patients who prefer a full smile, a broad and balanced chewing surface, and those patients who are unsatisfied with their current partials, bridges, and dentures. Dental implants are even a viable option when a tooth has been missing for several years, and there is no age limit in terms of the ideal implant candidate.

What steps should I take to learn more?

Implant dentistry involves one or more surgical procedures and a significant degree of advanced planning. We would be happy to meet with you and perform a comprehensive examination in order to discuss your concerns and plan your treatment from start to finish.

Take the first step by calling to schedule your consultation today.

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Common Dental Implants Questions

What is a dental implant?

A dental implant is a small post made of biocompatible titanium. Over time, surrounding bone tissue forms a solid bond with the dental implant through a process called osseointegration. Because it is the only structurally complete option for tooth replacement, a dental implant is an ideal solution for tooth loss.

We often take the roots of our teeth for granted because we cannot see them, but they are essential in maintaining the stability of our jawbones and our smiles. The roots of the teeth also facilitate activities like chewing and proper speech. In functioning like pseudoroots, dental implants outperform other tooth replacement options that lack such root-like structures in all of these facets.

How much do dental implants cost?

The cost of dental implants will vary from patient to patient, and it may include expenses associated with imaging, supplemental procedures such as bone grafts and other associated interventions in some cases. We will be able to give you a more precise idea of the anticipated costs of your treatment at your evaluation.

Am I a candidate for dental implants?

Patients with a wide variety of tooth loss scenarios can benefit from dental implants, as the devices can be used to support single crowns, dental bridges or even entire dentures. However, in order to benefit from long-term dental implant success, patients must have the adequate bone tissue to support the osseointegration process in which the bone fuses with the dental implant.

Bone loss is a subsequent side effect of tooth loss, so patients who delay dental implant placement for a period of time after tooth loss may need a supplemental bone graft before they can get their dental implants. This additional procedure may also be needed for patients with congenital bone defects.

In order to determine whether you are a good candidate for dental implant placement, you should schedule an evaluation at our office.

How are dental implants placed?

Advances in implant technology have increased the efficiency and accuracy of implant placement and time varies depending on the number of implants placed. Like most other dental procedures, implants are placed in an outpatient manner that can be done with or without sedation. Minor soreness is expected but patients are able to return to normal activities the next day.

Are implant retained dentures better than traditional dentures?

YES!  Implant retained dentures offer greater stability, improved chewing ability so you can eat more of the foods you love, and reduces bone loss compared to traditional dentures that rest solely on the gums.

Am I a good candidate for implant supported dentures?

Most patients with missing teeth that are considering dentures as a treatment option are candidates for implants.  Many factors come into play when determining who is eligible.  Bone Density, overall health and oral hygiene play a huge role in this decision.  Patients who smoke heavily, have poorly controlled diabetes or take certain osteoporosis medications will be carefully evaluated to determine if implants are safe to pursue due to the reduced healing ability of these patients.

What can I eat with implant supported dentures?

Due the increased stability and strength of implant retained dentures, you can eat just about anything your heart desires.  Do we suggest you go out and try to find the hardest, chewiest foods you can find just to test the limits, no, but your experience will be life changing vs those patients who have traditional dentures.

How many implants are needed for an overdenture?

Most overdentures require 2-4 implants depending on bone quality and the type of attachment used.

How many implants are needed for a hybrid denture?

A hybrid denture usually involves placing 4-6 implants to properly support a full arch prosthetic.

What material is an overdenture made of?

Overdentures are usually made of acrylic or PMMA (resin based) material.

What material is a hybrid denture made of?

Due to the increased forces generated when you have a fixed implant supported prosthetic, hybrids are usually fabricated using monolithic zirconia which has the strength and durability to withstand the incredible forces that our jaw muscles can produce when eating.

Now that I have dentures do I still need to see my dentist?

Absolutely.  If you have taken the leap to invest in implant supported dentures, you will still need to see your dentist for regular hygiene visits to clean not only the dentures, but the implants as well.  At this appointment we will take x rays and evaluate the tissue health around the implants to determine if you are adequately cleaning around the prosthetic to ensure the longevity of the implants.