Tooth Replacement with Dental Implants

In the past, the traditional way to replace all of your teeth was to use full dentures. Full dentures can provide a very aesthetic outcome as well as allowing you to chew certain foods that you would otherwise not be able to chew. There are however several limitations with traditional dentures.  Traditional dentures are not fixed to the underlying bone and therefore have the tendency to move around, make clicking noises or even fall out of your mouth. Because they are not firmly secured to the underlying bone, chewing food can be very challenging. Most importantly, over time bone loss continues to occur. This can affect your ability to chew and the fit of the dentures. With bone loss occurring in the jaw, long-term denture wearers often look much older.

With dental implants we can significantly improve the problems with traditional dentures. Implants can fix the dentures to the bone though small attachments on the implants. Implant supported dentures work more like natural teeth by making it easier to chew, speak and feel more confident. Also, with dental implants you no longer have to worry about losing bone. Implants simulate health of the bone allowing you to have a natural, healthy and comfortable outcome.

Implant Supported Dentures - Broomfield

An implant-supported denture is a type of denture that is supported by and attached to implants. A regular denture rests on the gums, and is not supported by implants.
An implant-supported denture is used when a person doesn't have any teeth, but has enough bone to support implants. An implant-supported denture has special attachments that snap onto attachments on the implants.

There are two types of implant-supported dentures: bar-retained and ball-retained. In both cases, the denture will be made of an acrylic base that will look like gums. Porcelain or acrylic teeth that look like natural teeth are attached to the base. Both types of dentures need at least two implants for support.

• Bar-retained dentures — A thin metal bar that follows the curve of your jaw is attached to two to five implants that have been placed in your jawbone. Clips or other types of attachments are fitted to the bar, the denture or both. The denture fits over the bar and is securely clipped into place by the attachments.
• Ball-retained dentures (stud-attachment dentures) — Each implant in the jawbone holds a metal attachment that fits into another attachment on the denture. In most cases, the attachments on the implants are ball-shaped ("male" attachments), and they fit into sockets ("female" attachments) on the denture.

Your implant-supported denture will be more stable than a regular denture. You will find it easier to speak and you won't have to worry about the denture becoming loose or falling out of your mouth. You generally will be able to eat foods you could not eat before.

If you have an implant-supported denture in your upper jaw, it can be made to cover less of your palate (roof of your mouth) than a regular denture. That's because the implants are holding it in place instead of the suction created between the full denture and your palate.

Implant supported dentures are an ideal way to restore esthetics, comfort and function.

Below is an example of a bar retained denture we completed in our office in Broomfield.

+Taylor Workman

Smile Makeover with Veneers

There's no reason to put up with gaps in your teeth or with teeth that are stained, badly shaped or crooked. Today a veneer placed on top of your teeth can correct these problems, the results of an injury, or poor dentistry and help you have a beautiful smile.

Veneers are thin, custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials designed to cover the front side of teeth. They're made by a dental technician, usually in a dental lab, working from a model provided by your dentist.

This patient chose to do the front eight teeth, with veneers and two crowns.

As always, Dr. Workman will ask you what result you are trying to accomplish and work very closely with a master lab technician to get the very best result.