Dentures that slip when you eat or talk
A lower denture that lifts when you talk, or clicks when you chew, can make you avoid restaurants, skip foods you love and cover your mouth when you laugh. Adhesive helps for a while, then it doesn’t.
Implant-supported dentures snap onto small posts placed in your jawbone, so the denture is held in place instead of floating on your gums. Many people notice the difference with the first meal.
Not ready for a big surgery
Full-arch implant work can sound like a major undertaking, and for some people it is. But not everyone needs that to stop a denture from slipping.
Mini dental implants are narrower than standard implants and are often used to steady a loose lower denture with less surgery. In many cases your current denture can be adapted to snap onto them. You’ll hear which approach fits your jaw and budget before anything is planned. If the thought of any surgery is what’s stopping you, sedation is available, and Dr. Khalil holds a conscious sedation license, which few general dentists in Ohio have.
Not knowing how implant-supported dentures work
Small implants are placed in your jawbone, each topped with an attachment that sits just above the gum. The underside of your denture holds matching parts that click onto those attachments, so the denture is held in place instead of resting on your gums and relying on adhesive.
It starts with an exam and X-rays to check your bone and plan where the implants go. The implants are placed with the area numbed, and your denture is fitted with its attachments, either your current one adapted or a new one made to fit. You’ll get a realistic timeline before anything starts, because it depends on your bone and whether any teeth need to come out first.
Worried your jaw is shrinking
After teeth are lost, the jawbone slowly shrinks because nothing is stimulating it anymore. That’s why dentures that fit well at first often get looser over the years, and why some people’s faces look more sunken over time.
Implants sit in the bone, so they give it something to support again. If too much bone has already been lost, you’ll hear that honestly, along with what is still possible.
Afraid of a price you can’t plan for
Implant dentures involve several pieces: the implants, the attachments and the denture itself, and sometimes extractions first. A quote that leaves any of that out turns into a surprise later.
You get an upfront itemized estimate with every step listed and your insurance applied, so you can compare options side by side, from mini implants under your current denture to a new denture on standard implants. Financing is available if you ask, and it’s never pushed.
Frequently asked questions
Can my current denture be used with implants?
Sometimes. If your denture fits reasonably well and is in good shape, it can often be adapted to snap onto mini implants. If it’s worn or doesn’t fit, a new one is usually the better investment. You’ll hear which applies to you after an exam.
How many implants does a denture need?
A lower denture is often held with two to four implants, depending on your jaw and the type of implant. An upper denture usually needs more. You’ll get a plan for your mouth specifically, not a one-size-fits-all number.
Can I take implant-supported dentures out?
Snap-on implant dentures are designed to come out for cleaning, and you clean the implants and your gums underneath. They stay firmly in place while you eat and talk, then unclip when you choose.
How do I take care of implant-supported dentures?
Unclip the denture each day and brush it with a soft brush, then gently clean around the implant attachments and your gums. The small parts that hold the denture wear over time and are replaced at your checkups, which keeps the fit snug. Regular visits let the team catch any gum irritation around the implants early.
Am I too old for implant-supported dentures?
Age alone rarely rules anyone out. What matters is your bone, your gum health and your overall health. Plenty of people in their seventies and eighties have implant dentures. An exam and X-rays show whether they’re a safe option for you.
Do implant-supported dentures hurt to get?
The area is numbed during placement, and mini implants in particular are usually placed with less surgery than standard implants. Most people are sore for a few days. Nitrous, oral and IV sedation are available if you’re nervous.