Transitioning from Dentures to Dental Implants: What You Need to Know

If you’ve been living with dentures for a while, you’re probably familiar with the drawbacks that come with them, such as slipping at inconvenient times or making it difficult to eat certain foods. Do you wish you could give your smile an upgrade so that you wouldn’t have to deal with these problems anymore? Thanks to dental implants, you may be able to do just that! Here’s everything you need to know if you’re interested in making the transition from dentures to dental implants.

Why Switch from Dentures to Dental Implants?

First of all, it’s important to consider why you would want to switch from traditional dentures to implant dentures in the first place. Dental implants offer many benefits that dentures can’t on their own, such as:

• Preventing bone loss in your jaw.
• Keeping your prosthetic teeth firmly in place at all times.
• Providing enough chewing power to eat virtually anything you want.
• Looking, feeling, and functioning like your natural teeth.
• Offering a lifespan of over 25 years with the right maintenance.

If these benefits seem like they could change your life for the better, then you definitely want to consider getting implant dentures.

Are You a Candidate for Dental Implants?

Before you can transition from dentures to dental implants, your dentist has to confirm that you’re a candidate for the procedure. This means examining your jaw to confirm that there’s enough bone density to support dental implant posts. If you’ve had dentures for a while, chances are that you’ve already experienced significant bone loss in your jaw. But don’t worry; you may still be able to have dental implants placed after a bone graft.

What is the Transition Process Like?

The process of switching from traditional dentures to implant dentures can take several months or even up to a year. It will likely begin with bone grafting, which will involve taking bone material from elsewhere in your body and transplanting it to certain areas of your jaw to encourage new bone growth. It’ll normally take about 4 to 6 months for your mouth to fully heal after bone grafting; once it has, you’ll be ready for dental implants.

To place dental implant posts, your implant dentist will need to make a small incision in your gums. Then they can surgically insert the implant posts into your jawbone. You’ll normally receive four to six implant posts to replace all of your teeth.

It’ll take about 3 to 6 months for your implants to join with your jaw. You’ll need to stay on a diet of soft foods during that time to avoid putting too much pressure on the implant posts. Once healing is complete, your implants will be ready to support a permanent denture.

It will take time to fully switch from traditional dentures to dental implants, but the benefits are well worth it. Schedule an appointment with your implant dentist today to see if this change might be the right choice for your smile.

About the Author

Dr. Idan Snapir is the lead doctor at OraBell Dental Implant Centers in Van Nuys. After earning his dental doctorate at UCLA, he has pursued a great deal of continuing education in dental implant placement. Thanks to his training, he can help his patients replace any number of teeth with sturdy, reliable dental implants. If you’re interested in switching from dentures to implants, schedule a consultation with Dr. Snapir by visiting his website or calling (818) 392-5816.