Implant Dentures in Calgary

All 5 stars for Dr. Silver and for the staff!! They treat you with all the respect and they make sure you are being listened and taken care of. They’re highly skilled and interested in your well being.

I was given time to consider some of the treatment suggestions, so I could weigh in my options before committing to anything and this is great!

Thanks to all of the team, you’re great!

— Aline S, ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Google Review

What is an implant-supported denture?

Implant-supported dentures (also known as implant-retained or snap-in dentures) are an excellent treatment option if you are missing all teeth in a dental arch. They are similar to traditional complete dentures, but instead of sitting snugly on the gum tissue, snap-in dentures are firmly retained by dental implants.

The implants, previously placed along the dental arch, are connected to the denture through special components. Instead of housing fixed restorations like crowns or bridges, the implants are restored with little accessories (“precision attachments “). The precision attachment is usually either an abutment (small ball attached to a single implant), a bar that connects all the implants, or attached to a solid single piece prosthesis (milled zirconia prosthesis). The shape of these accessories is then reproduced in the acrylic base of the denture, or the milled zirconia prosthesis, achieving a perfect fit between the implants and the denture.

What are the benefits of implant-supported dentures?

CHEW BETTER

Since snap-in dentures are attached to the underlying bone structure then they move with the jaw bone and don’t move without it! The result is better chewing function. Implant retained dentures don’t slide around and stay where they need to for you to eat your food properly. You can enjoy the food you used to love eating and smile without your dentures falling out.

HYGIENIC

As traditional full dentures, snap-in dentures can also be easily removed, allowing you to keep your mouth healthy and the denture perfectly clean. Good oral hygiene is essential to maintain oral health, and in this particular type of treatment, it’s crucial to ensure that your brand new smile lasts forever. If you decide to get a fixed zirconia bridge, our team can remove the prosthesis when you are coming in for a check-up to deeply clean the attachments.

PREVENTION OF BONE LOSS

When a tooth is lost, the body eliminates the bone tissue that was around it. In patients with multiple missing teeth, this process also affects the jawbone over time, causing irreversible aesthetic alterations in the lower third of the face. Dental implants are the only restoration that preserves bone tissue and helps you keep a youthful appearance.

LONG-TERM SOLUTION

Implant-supported dentures represent a very stable solution if you have lost all teeth in a dental arch. They are made of a resistant and durable material, and as implants prevent bone resorption, they won’t need continuous adjustments as traditional dentures.

AFFORDABLE IMPLANT SOLUTION

Snap-in dentures are a wise investment. They have all the advantages of dental implants, but they are not as expensive as replacing all missing teeth with implants that house individual crowns or bridges.

RESTORE YOUR SMILE WITH IMPLANT-RETAINED DENTURES

Come to see us and give your smile a second chance!

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Procedure: What to expect when getting a Snap-In denture

This treatment involves multiple steps, including:

IMPLANT PLACEMENT

After carefully planning the treatment, Dr Silver will start by placing the implants. After numbing the area, she makes an incision in the gum tissue to get to the jawbone. Then, she drills small holes, which will later be filled with the implants. Once the implants are firmly screwed into the jawbone, Dr Silver closes the wound with stitches.

PRECISION ATTACHMENTS

Once the gums have healed, Dr Silver will screw the attachments into the titanium implants. For this purpose, she needs to reopen the gum tissue to expose the implants.

HEALING TIME

The implants need a few months (four to six) to be fully integrated into the jawbone. This healing time is known as “osseointegration,” and it is crucial for treatment success. In the meantime, you will wear a temporary denture, and we will ask you to come in regularly for cleanings to keep the gum tissue around the implants healthy.

FINAL IMPRESSIONS

Once the osseointegration is completed, you will come back to the office to have the final impressions taken. These impressions are going to be sent to the dental lab together with specific instructions from our dentist.

PERMANENT DENTURE

When the dentures are back from the lab, Dr Silver will fit them and make adjustments if necessary. You will walk out of the office with a brand new smile!

How to care for implant-retained dentures

As mentioned before, it is crucial to have good oral hygiene. False teeth won’t develop cavities, but dental plaque can still cause bad breath and gum disease.

Just like natural teeth, implants are susceptible to periodontal disease. This infection can compromise the future of the denture, so we insist on the importance of brushing twice a day and cleaning the attachments.

Dr Silver also advises patients wearing implant-support dentures to visit the office regularly. In these visits, she will check the implants and indicate a professional cleaning if necessary.

Is there any alternative to Snap-In dentures?

The most common alternative to snap-in dentures is a traditional full denture. Traditional dentures are undoubtedly a more affordable and straightforward solution. In only a few appointments, the patient gets a brand new set of teeth for a reasonable price.

However, these dentures cannot be compared to implant-supported dentures in terms of comfort and lifespan. Traditional dentures don’t count with all the benefits of dental implants, and as a result, they have much less retention and get loose quite quickly. Over time, these dentures tend to move and bascule when chewing or speaking and need continuous relining to fit correctly.

Am I a suitable candidate for implant dentures?

If you are not sure whether you are eligible for this kind of treatment or not, get in contact with our office and schedule a consultation with Dr Silver. She will analyze your case and explain your different alternatives!

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FAQs

Implant-supported dentures are fixed and removable. They can be removed on a daily basis or at your recall visits with your dentist. This is a great advantage, as it facilitates the cleaning of both the denture and the implants.

The number of implants varies from patient to patient. Our dentist designs the treatment plan according to each patient’s specific conditions and requirements. However, in most cases, at least two to four dental implants are needed to retain the denture successfully.

When properly cared for, implant-retained dentures can last up to 15 years. After that time, it might need to be replaced – mainly due to regular wear or any chip or crack that might appear. The good news is that you won’t need to worry about the implants: dental implants can (and should!) last a lifetime!

It is difficult to estimate the cost of a denture without first looking at the patient’s smile. The cost of the treatment will vary according to how many implants are required. So if you are interested in this type of treatment, we strongly advise you to schedule a consultation with Dr Silver to clear all your doubts!

About Dr Jennifer Silver

Dr. Jennifer Silver has been enhancing smiles in Calgary for the past 15 years. She has vast experience in replacing missing teeth: no matter how complicated your case seems to be, she will work hard to achieve the results you are looking for. She has treated patients that needed anything from a single tooth replacement to implant-supported dentures in both arches. If you have lost one or more teeth and feel self-conscious about your smile, schedule a consultation with Dr Silver. She will listen to your expectations and together you will find the best possible solution!