Will I get to choose my new teeth?

Yes. Whether you are having one dental implant and crown placed, a fixed implant bridge or an implant-retained denture, you are able to choose your desired tooth material, shade and shape.

Will I have teeth while I heal from dental implant surgery?

Yes. While your dental implants heal, you’ll wear a temporary denture. In some cases, we may recommend patients avoid wearing a denture for the first 1 to 2 weeks after surgery to assist with healing and avoid opening up stitches. This is usually the only time a patient is without teeth.

Why does treatment with implant-retained dentures take so long?

Unlike a fixed full mouth implant bridge where dental implants are placed and a bridge is fitted within the same week, an implant-retained denture is a removable prosthetic that cannot be loaded onto dental implants while the mouth is healing. There are generally 8 stages in the treatment process for replacing missing or damaged teeth with implant-retained dentures, however much of this time involves your dental implants healing (over a period of 3 to 6 months) after surgery. Once healed, dental implants are exposed in a minor procedure to place healing caps. This requires another 3 weeks for your gums to heal around the area where the dentures attach via denture abutments. New impressions are then taken to custom-make your denture. Once your denture comes back from the lab, we'll try it in, make any final adjustments and then fit it. Depending on your desire to make adjustments, it can take another 1 to 3 visits in this final stage.

What are some alternate treatment options to implants?

While dental implants are recommended by our dentists for their durable and natural-looking aesthetics, they may not be suitable for everyone. Which is why we offer our patients dental implant alternatives such as dentures or dental bridges. If you’re concerned about your smile, make an appointment to see our friendly team today at Perth Dental Implant Centre. Our leading dentist, Dr David Norcross, can advise you on the best treatment option for your needs.

What are risks associated with implant-retained dentures?

General surgical risks apply like any surgical procedure. The main complication with implant dentures relates to the ability to chew harder, due to an increased biting force. Dentures can fracture or break and individual teeth can chip or wear down. Choosing a high quality denture made from high impact custom-milled PMMA (acrylic) will reduce these risks.

Can I leave my implant dentures in overnight?

No. Your denture needs to be removed regularly for cleaning and left out overnight. If dentures are left in permanently, bacteria can build up and cause a gum or implant infection. Poor oral hygiene around dental implants can cause inflammation, bone loss and if left untreated it can cause dental implants to fail. Plastic caps within the denture can also deteriorate and affect the fit of the denture if they are not cleaned properly.

What are the risks with dental implant treatment?

Success rates for dental implant treatment in Australia is very high at 90-98%, according to the Australian Dental Association (ADA). Dental implant treatment completed overseas doesn’t always follow the same success and we often treat patients with failed implants. Read more about dental implants overseas. Dental implant treatment risks may include: Speech problems Gum tissue growth Infection Bone loss Loose implant Loose tooth Tooth problems General surgical risks and specific risks to implant surgery also apply and are discussed with you prior to treatment. Careful planning and precision surgery by a suitably qualified dentist is essential to minimising any risks of surgery.

Implant Retained Dentures

For existing denture-wearers, an implant-retained denture can feel and function more like real teeth, without the stress of coming loose.

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What are Implant-Retained Dentures?

An implant-retained denture (an overdenture) is a full denture that is stabilised on two or more dental implants.

Like a full denture, it’s removable, but instead of relying on suction to stay in place, it clips on and off special abutments that connect to dental implants.

First, dental implants are carefully placed into the jaw bone and left to heal for three to six months. Once the mouth has healed around the dental implants, an abutment is placed on each implant and the denture is re-modelled to clip on and off the abutments. Finally, the denture is fitted and adjusted for comfort.

Why Choose Implant-Retained Dentures?

Implant-retained dentures offer comfort, good stability and retention. For existing denture-wearers that have gone without teeth for some time, an implant-retained denture may offer many benefits:

Improved retention and stability
Improved biting forces
Improved speech
No loss of taste (upper overdentures don’t cover palate)
Improved ability to chew and digest food
Improved nutrition through consuming a wider diet
Allows for more streamlined dentures
May offer lip support
Easy to clean
Cost-effective to repair or replace
Less irritation or rubbing from loose dentures
No need for messy denture adhesives
Help prevent jaw bone shrinkage and retain facial shape
Help prevent a hollowed cheek appearance
May help prevent gum recession

Denture Attachments

Two types of attachments are used for dentures, ball attachments and bar attachments. Your dentist may recommend one option over the other depending on the location of the denture (upper arch or lower arch) number of implants and your desired retention.

Ball attachments – Ball-like denture abutments with plastic caps that clip on and off implants are common placed in the lower jaw.
Bar overdentures – Denture clips over a bar that connects to multiple implants are commonly placed in the upper jaw.

How Many Implants for My Denture?

Dentures can be supported by one, two or more dental implants, depending on jaw bone quality and the desired retention. A denture retained by one or two dental implants will still experience some movement but will offer more stability than traditional suction dentures can.

Lower Denture with Two to Four Implants – A common solution for improving retention, stability and function of a lower denture.
Upper Denture with Four or More Implants – Typically supported by four dental implants but sometimes more, depending on jaw bone quality and density.

Implant-retained dentures can have a small amount of movement, whereas an All-on-4® bridge is designed to feel completely secure and not move at all.