A Quick Look at Implant-Assisted Dentures

While dental implants cater to individual teeth, what happens when an entire group of teeth is lost? Six or seven dental implants can be costly, given that individual implants can cost thousands of dollars. Fortunately, groups of missing teeth can be replaced with more affordable implant-supported dentures. While denture implants function like dental implants, the implant roots (two or more) support a group of teeth instead of a single tooth.

Denture implants are commonly used for the lower jaw, but they can also be applied to either the lower or upper jaw. Dentures need stability in the lower jaw, making implant-supported dentures a common choice for that region. Normal dentures may fall off when they're placed in the lower jaw, especially during heavy oral activity. If you have groups of missing teeth on both jaws, but want to save on denture implants, you can opt for a traditional denture for the upper jaw.

The beauty of denture implants is that they can be removed for regular cleaning or before sleeping at night. In fact, dentists recommend cleaning dentures to prevent the buildup of plaque and other oral bacteria. This just goes to show that, even with little to no teeth, brushing is still a fundamental part of oral hygiene.