Dental Implants
Restorative Dentistry
Patients tell us that implants have changed their lives.
Dental implants have a 97% success rate making them the most predictable and cost-effective treatment of any dental restoration.
Post-Treament Care
Consider your replacement teeth to be the same as your natural teeth. They will require the same brushing and flossing and we will recommend the use of a Waterpik™ to help stimulate the gum tissue and effectively clean around the neck of the implant. You will also be placed on a 3 month recare appointment with your dental hygienist to help maintain proper periodontal health.
Implant Supported Dentures:
There are three types of implant-supported dentures: Bar-Retained, Ball-Retained, and Screw-Retained. Continue reading below to learn more about each type.
In all cases, the overdenture is normally made of an acrylic base. An implant supported denture eliminates slippage, enhancing comfort and improving the ability to speak and smile with confidence, as well as eliminating the need for sticky adhesives.
Single Implant Replacement
Used to replace a single missing tooth
Implant Supported Bridge
Used to replace multiple missing teeth in an area. This is a fixed appliance and is not removable
Bar Retained Dentures
A minimum of 4 implants is required for a bar retained denture. A thin titanium bar follows the curve of your jaw and is milled to the implants. Clips or other types of attachments are secured into the overdenture and will securely clip into place on attachments on the titanium bar. This appliance is removable by the patient.
Ball Retained Dentures
A minimum of 2 implants is required to support a ball retained denture on the lower jaw and a minimum of 4 implants is required to support a ball retained denture on the upper jaw. Each implant is fitted with a titanium stud attachment that securely fits into the “socket” on the denture. This appliance is removable by the patient.
Screw Retained Dentures
A minimum of 5 implants is required to securely support a screw retained denture. The larger the biting force the more implants required to provide adequate distribution of forces when biting and chewing. This appliance can be made of acrylic (denture) material or a zirconium material and is semi-permanent, meaning that the appliance is not removable by the patient but can be removed by your dentist at hygiene appointments.
Benefits of Dental Implants
• The most natural-looking and feeling replacement for a missing tooth
• Bridgework and dentures may need to be replaced every ten to fifteen years, but with proper maintenance implants can last many, many years
• Implants are made from titanium and will not decay
• Implants can replace one or multiple teeth.
• Implants replace the missing tooth without compromising the surrounding natural teeth.
• Dental implants stimulate bone growth and help preserve oral health.
The teeth are made of an acrylic, or plastic, type of material. Dentures can be made to attach to dental implants to allow for a more secure fit of the appliance, and in the case of the upper denture implants can be used to open the palate (roof of mouth).
Dentures over a normal course of time will wear and need to be replaced or relined in order to keep the jaw alignment normal. The alignment will slowly change as the gum ridges recede or shrink, due to loss of structure in areas where teeth have been removed. Regular dental examinations are still important for the denture wearer so that the oral tissue can be checked for irritations or changes in the tissue and for signs of disease.
Call The Office
(585) 442-5500
Office Location
2384 Monroe Avenue Rochester, NY 14618