Getting dentures doesn’t have to mean wearing an uncomfortable, fake-looking set of false teeth. Modern advancements allow dentists to craft the most natural-looking replacement teeth anchored in place by implants for the most comfortable and secure fit. Exceptional Dentistry offers implant dentures, also referred to as locator dentures.
What are locator dentures?
These are made with the same quality and care as custom dentures, but unlike traditional dentures that rest on the bony ridge in your mouth, locator dentures receive additional support because they attach to dental implants. Your dentist places each implant at precise locations to provide maximum support for the dentures. An abutment is placed on each implant, allowing your locator dentures to snap into place.
Are locator dentures right for me?
We evaluate each patient individually to determine if they are a good candidate for a procedure. That said, people who receive locator dentures usually fall into one of two categories. They are living with significant tooth loss or already have dentures but have become dissatisfied with them.
The best way to determine if locator dentures are right for you is to schedule a consultation at Exceptional Dentistry.
How we use implants:
We can use a dental implant to replace an individual missing tooth, as well as to restore significant tooth loss. We can use implants to anchor a set of replacement teeth, whether you opt for hybrid dentures or locator dentures.
- Hybrid dentures are ideal for patients who need a full set of replacement teeth but do not prefer to get removable dentures. Instead, hybrid dentures use a permanent set of replacement teeth that permanently attach to four implants on each dental arch.
- Locator dentures are dentures made to snap onto dental implants for a secure fit. They provide a stable and secure fit, much better than traditional dentures.
Our dental implant process
We evaluate each patient individually to determine if they are a good candidate for a procedure. That said, people who receive locator dentures usually fall into one of two categories. They are living with significant tooth loss or already have dentures but have become dissatisfied with them.
The best way to determine if locator dentures are right for you is to schedule a consultation at Exceptional Dentistry. We should mention, however, that if you have gum disease, we would need to provide periodontal treatment to manage that infection before beginning work on any procedure involving dental implants to ensure treatment success.
Why should you choose locator dentures?
- Stability: When your dentures are connected to the implants, locator dentures will not slip or shift in your mouth. They remain fixed in place until you’re ready to remove them to be cleaned.
- Strength: Locator dentures allow you to regain your chewing ability more than standard dentures. That means you have more food choices, better nutrition, and more confidence when gathering with friends and family for meals.
- Overall health: Did you know that eating a diet with plenty of hard, crunchy foods may help you stay mentally sharp? A study conducted in Japan in the fall of 2018 found that concluding that the act of rigorous chewing helped improve cognition.
- Durability: With good hygiene and care, locator dentures will last longer than standard dentures.
- Prevents bone loss: Over time, jawbone recession occurs due to missing teeth. Traditional dentures do not provide enough stimulation to the jawbone to prevent this devastating loss. Eventually, jawbone loss makes wearing traditional dentures uncomfortable and difficult. However, locator dentures help preserve the jawbone and make wearing your false teeth possible.
How we work with locator dentures
After your initial evaluation, we take digital impressions of your mouth and any remaining teeth. These images serve as a model used to fabricate your dentures. Your replacement teeth will be designed to match the look, shape, and shade of any remaining natural teeth and the color of your gum line. Meanwhile, the supporting implants will be installed. After these implants fuse with your jawbone, you are ready to receive your new replacement teeth.
