Dr Featherstone – General & Cosmetic Dentist – Las Vegas & Henderson, Nevada

Two-Implant Dentures

Definition

Two implant dentures is a new set of upper and lower dentures, but with two implants in the lower jaw. The lower denture snaps into the two implants, holding it in place. Note: Marilyn’s change of appearance is due to a change in the characteristics of her new dentures, unrelated to the implants.

Benefits

• That pesky lower denture which used to float around the mouth, now snaps in to stay put.
• Food is less likely to gravitate under the denture
• The risk of pinching the gums when biting on the tipped denture is gone.
• The snap on denture is 100 times better than the floater, but only 4 times the cost.
• You can add 2 more implants later for increased function and comfort.
• Dental implants are safe. The risks are low, especially when we use computer guided surgery.

Implant Procedure

1. After a complete examination with radiographs and photographs, and a consultation to explore your past problems and appearance needs, we install markers on your well fitting denture or on a duplicate denture, and instruct you how to use it during a CT scan.
2. Your CT scan is taken by a radiologist at a nearby facility. They send us a CD.
3. We study your bone revealed in 3D on our Nobel Biocare software and install your “cyber” implants in your “cyber” bone in the best and safest positions possible.
4. We order your implant guide which is a duplicate of your denture (see illustration at left), only with metal sleeves that guide the drills to make space for the implants.


Implant Guide (Click to enlarge)

5. For implant placement, we recommend that you come in an hour early and take a couple of blue pills, feel wonderfully sleepy and dreamy, and not even remember what happened the next day! We numb your jaw using our comfortable lip-shaking technique. Many find it comfortable just to be made numb.
6. We make spaces for and install the implants using our implant guide to guarantee the exact, safe positions. Most often there is no cutting of the gum and no sutures, so there is little discomfort afterward.

Denture Procedure (If you are happy with a recently made set of dentures all you need is the two implants, and the snap-on system. Skip steps 1-6).

1. After 3 months healing time, preliminary impressions are taken which lead to lab fabrication of custom impression trays. In many cases the healing time can be skipped.
2. With a gel-like material, we make impressions of your jaws.
3. We fit wax blocks to record proper tooth position, bite opening. We use a measuring device to install the blocks on a machine. See Eric’s Story at the bottom of Smile Gallery for more information.
4. Next, you visit us to evaluate your bite, and the color and position of teeth set in wax. You can spend all the time you need looking in the mirror to be sure your smile is just perfect!
5. After a week, we fit your new dentures by adjusting the teeth and denture base. You’ll love your new smile!
6. Finally, we convert your denture into a snap on implant denture in an hour! Very little discomfort after.
7. Adjustments are sometimes necessary to relieve tenderness under the denture.

Marilyn’s Story

Marilyn drove a couple of hours to consult with us about a new set of dentures. Her complaint was that the lower denture was loose and uncomfortable. She also wanted whiter teeth. We discussed the amazing improvement that 4 implants with new dentures would be for her. However, financial constraints limited her. Even though is was a strain on the pocketbook, she agreed to 2 implants. The CT scan on the Nobel Biocare software showed that some revision of bone was necessary at the time of installation of Marilyn’s implants. That required sutures and healing time. After that surgery, Marilyn waited 3 months, and returned for her new dentures. She looked at her new smile in amazement. She said, “I had no idea how this would change my looks!” At her last adjustment appointment, both the upper and the lower dentures were tight. She’d be happy to tell you that, “Despite some misgivings, it was well worth the cost. I can eat almost anything now.”

Time

If the plan involves new dentures, six weeks to 5 months is needed. If an existing denture can be used, the implants can be placed along with the abutments and attachments and your denture snaps in immediately.

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Cost of Denture Implants

If mini implants are used with existing dentures, the fee can be as little as $1500 complete, including two implants. See this link for how mini implants work. If standard implants are required, the fee is $1760 each or $3520 .

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Cost of Dentures

The fee for each arch, upper or lower is $1399. We only use premium Ivoclar teeth and and expert laboratory.

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Partial Denture

Definition

A partial denture is made of a chrome cobalt metal frame, with denture teeth and pink plastic. It is used when teeth are missing on both sides of the jaw. As an alternative to implants, it is less than ideal.

Benefits

• Lower cost than implants or multiple bridges.
• Fills in space to keep teeth from moving.
• Provides some improvement in chewing ability.
• Works quite well when a back tooth remains on both sides and used as anchors.

Disadvantages

• It’s hard for most people to get used to the bulk of the metal.
• Plaque and food are often trapped around the hooks and struts.
• If one side has no back tooth, biting forces pinch the gum between the plastic and bone. Biting force must be reduced to avoid pain. Chewing food takes longer.
• The hooks sometimes break, and need to be repaired, or the denture replaced

Procedure (List of Appointments)

1. We make a preliminary impressions
2. A final impression is made with custom carrier and a material with honey-like consistency which sets like rubber.
3. We fit the metal framework. We have you bite into wax blocks so that the new teeth can be fitted to existing teeth.
4. You will get to try in the denture to test the bite, look at the color of the teeth, and evaluate the overall appearance. Changes can be made.
5. Finally, we fit the new partial denture by adjusting the teeth to fit the bite, and adjusting the pink plastic to fit the gums.
6. Adjustments are sometimes necessary to relieve tenderness under the denture.

Jo’s Story

Jo had had enough of her existing partial denture. Hers is a story of frustration that is often repeated when a partial denture is accepted as the only option. Jo is missing 5 teeth starting in the center of her upper, and backwards on the left of the top photo. You can see the hooks holding the denture in on the right and left side of the photo. Jo’s problem was that a hook could not be made on the real central incisor, because, well, it just wouldn’t look good. The denture kept slipping downward, which was very embarrassing during business lunches. So, Jo was forced to use adhesives, which is really uncomfortable and bothersome. We discussed alternatives at length, including replacing all 5 teeth with implants, but that was deemed too costly. So, we settled on two implants to screw down a new partial denture with no hooks at all. Now she never worries about the teeth slipping down. She loves her new smile, which was also improved with a veneer on the tooth on the right side of the photo. She’ll be glad to tell you, “Yes, it was worth it.”

Time

A regular partial denture requires 5 or 6 appointments over 5 or 6 weeks. (More on partial dentures from mynewsmile.com)

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