Dentures are probably the first thing to come to mind when thinking of ways to replace a whole row of missing teeth. However, while regular dentures can restore your ability to chew and smile with confidence, they can’t stop the bone loss in the jaw that occurs when teeth are missing. That’s why at Winegar Dental, we’re proud to offer implant-retained dentures in Harker Heights to help protect your oral health!
How Implant-Retained Dentures Work

While traditional dentures simply sit on top of the gumline, implant-retained dentures are supported by metal posts that are surgically inserted into the jawbone. These posts are naturally fused with the jaw through osseointegration; this way, they can secure the dentures firmly in place. Depending on patient preference, implants retained by dentures can either be permanently fixed in place or removable.

Candidates for Implant-Retained Dentures

The success of any treatment involving dental implants depends largely on your oral health. Bone grafts may sometimes be necessary to make sure the jaw has enough height for osseointegration to work. If you smoke, you’ll need to stop before and after the surgery; otherwise it could disrupt the healing process. You’ll need to speak with a dentist in Harker Heights to have your mouth evaluated in order to determine the best course of treatment.

What’s the Process for Getting Implant-Retained Dentures?

Depending on how many teeth need to be replaced, you can get full or partial dentures. At Winegar Dental, we’ll always use the minimum number of implants necessary to provide the right amount of support for your prosthetic. Usually, four to eight implant posts are necessary.

After an initial consultation, Dr. Winegar will schedule the surgery for placement. This is where the actual implants will be placed in your jawbone. Once healing is complete, a second surgery will be performed to place an abutment; after that, all that’s left is to place the actual denture. In certain cases, you can get Teeth-in-a-Day, which is where you receive your dentures on the same day as your implants.

Benefits of Implant-Retained Dentures

When you’re missing a tooth or multiple teeth, the bone no longer receives the benefits of chewing and gradually begins to resorb. In other words, it starts to deteriorate because it’s no longer needed. While traditional dentures have no effect on bone loss, dentures secured by dental implants in Harker Heights can give the jawbone the stimulation it needs to stay healthy.

There are other advantages of implant-retained dentures as well:

• They’re held in place by the implants, so they’re not prone to slipping.
• They provide chewing power comparable to that granted by natural teeth.
• With good maintenance and excellent oral hygiene, they can last a very long time.
• Since the dentures sit on implants below the gumline instead of directly on the gumline, it results in a far more natural-looking smile.