Implant Supported Dentures
in Raleigh

An implant-supported denture, attached to implants, is used for people without teeth in their jaw but with adequate bone for implant support. Unlike regular dentures that rest on gums, these have attachments snapping onto the implants. They're typically for the lower jaw, as upper jaw dentures are usually stable without implants. However, they can be fitted for both jaws. These dentures should be removed daily for cleaning and not worn at night. Some may choose fixed crown and bridgework instead. Your dentist will advise on the best option for you.

How Implant Supported Dentures Work

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. In some cases, the denture holds the male attachments and the implants hold the female ones.

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Anna Abernethy, DDS

Dr. Abernethy, originally from Concord, North Carolina, moved to Raleigh for college and graduated from Meredith College in 2001 with a degree in biology and a minor in chemical physics. Her journey towards dentistry began unexpectedly when she experienced a dental emergency during her college years, leading her to explore the field through externship programs. Witnessing a patient's life-changing smile makeover after a car accident inspired her to become a dentist. She pursued her dental education at UNC-Chapel Hill Dental School, actively participating in various community service initiatives and events. After graduation, she gained valuable experience as an associate in a dental practice.

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Jill Sonner, DDS

Dr. Sonner, a Raleigh native, completed her undergraduate studies at NCSU in Biological Sciences in 1999. She pursued dental education at UNC Dental School and trained at Fayetteville VA Medical Center, gaining skills in treating medically compromised and geriatric patients, and in advanced surgical techniques, including implant placement. She achieved Fellowship with The International Dental Implant Association, mentored by Dr. Arun Garg. Dr. Sonner, alongside Drs. Abernethy and Wells, took part in a mission to the Dominican Republic, contributing to dental implant surgeries, enhancing chewing function for locals who wouldn't otherwise have the chance. Their efforts significantly improved the quality of life for many recipients.

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Anita Wells, DDS

Dr. Anita Wells, developed her passion for dentistry in her hometown of Pinehurst, inspired by her childhood dentist's compassionate and personalized care. From a young age, she was fascinated by his ability to transform lives through beautiful smiles. Observing his artistic skills and the positive impact he made on patients, she decided to pursue dentistry. Dr. Wells graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a Bachelor's degree in Biology and Chemistry, and later earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery with the highest honors. After practicing in Chapel Hill, she co-founded Renaissance Dental Center in 2009, aiming to provide personalized dental care based on her dedication to changing people's lives.

The Implant Process

The implants usually are placed in the jawbone at the front of your mouth because there tends to be more bone in the front of the jaw than in the back. This usually is true even if teeth have been missing for some time. Once you lose teeth, you begin to lose bone in the area. Also, the front jaw doesn't have many nerves or other structures that could interfere with the placement of implants.

The time frame to complete the implant depends on many factors. The shortest time frame is about five months in the lower jaw and seven months in the upper jaw. This includes surgeries and the placement of the denture. However, the process can last a year or more, especially if you need bone grafting or other preliminary procedures.

Two surgeries usually are needed. The first one places the implants in the jawbone under your gums. The second surgery exposes the tops of the implants. The second procedure comes three to six months after the first.

A one-stage procedure is now used sometimes. In this procedure, your dentist can place the implants and the supporting bar in one step. The success rate of this procedure is high

Initial Consultation

During the dental exam, your dentist will review your medical and dental histories, take X-rays and create impressions of your teeth and gums so that models can be made. In some cases, the dentist may order a computed tomography (CT) scan of your mouth. This shows where your sinuses (located above your upper teeth) and nerves are. It allows the dentist to make sure they will not be affected by the implant placement. A CT scan also may be done to see how much bone is available and to determine the best locations for the implants. If you are not already wearing a complete denture to replace your missing teeth, your dentist will make you one. You will use this temporary denture until the implant-supported denture is placed. It will take about four visits, spanning several weeks, to complete this denture. By making this temporary denture, your dentist is able to determine the best position for the teeth in the final denture. The temporary denture also can be used as a backup if something happens to the final implant-supported denture. The temporary denture can also be used as the final denture to reduce overall costs. Attachments will need to be added so it can fit securely to the implants.

Once the temporary denture is finished, your dentist will use a copy of it as a guide to help place the implants in the proper positions. Holes will be drilled in the copy of the denture so that they can see where the implants should be placed.

After the initial surgery, you should avoid putting pressure on the implants. The temporary denture can be made so that direct pressure is placed on other areas, not on the implants. It may also be given a soft reline (new lining next to your gums) to help to reduce the pressure on your gums.

Your dentist will typically wait three or four months if implants were placed in the lower jaw, and five or six months if they were placed in the upper jaw, before scheduling the second surgery. During this time, the bone and the implants integrate (attach and fuse).

Standard abutments connected to the tops of the implants Once the implants have become fused with the bone, the second surgery can be scheduled. Your dentist will confirm whether the implant is ready for the second surgery by taking an X-ray. This surgery is simpler than the first. A small incision is made in your gum to expose the tops (heads) of the implants.

A healing cap (collar) is placed on the head of each implant after it is exposed. This guides the gum tissue to heal correctly. The collar is a round piece of metal that holds the gums away from the head of the implant. The collar will be in place for 10 to 14 days. The dentist will adjust your temporary denture again and it may be given another soft reline. The reline material will secure the denture to the healing abutments.

About two weeks after the second surgery, the healing caps will be replaced with regular abutments. Your gums should now be healed enough for your dentist to make an impression of your gum tissue and abutments. The impression is used to make a working model of your abutments and jaw. This model is used to make the denture framework and teeth.

Dental Try-In And Insertion

At this point, if a bar-retained denture has been prescribed for you, then the metal bar is placed on the abutments. You will have the first try-in of your new denture framework to see if it fits properly.

Once the metal bar and the denture framework have been fitted together properly, the teeth are temporarily placed on the framework in wax. The whole denture is then tried in your mouth. If everything works well, the teeth are secured in the denture framework permanently. The bar or ball attachments also will be secured.

You will have to return to your dentist for another visit to have the completed denture inserted. When the denture is inserted, the denture is clipped onto the bar or snapped onto the ball attachments.

At this point, your temporary denture will be given a new reline. This will allow it to be used as a backup denture in case you lose or break your new overdenture. If you are using the "temporary" denture as a permanent denture, the bar or ball attachments are placed in that 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. However, you will not be able to chew hard or sticky foods because they can damage the denture.

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.

What Happens In A Smile Consultation?

Setting expectations can be the first part of a smile consultation.   Here is some information to outline what to expect during a smile consultation with Renaissance Dental Center. The first part of a smile makeover consultation is for the patient to discuss their goals with the dentist.  Some of the most popular smile makeover goals include the following:

  • Replacing missing or decaying teeth with Dental Implants
  • Straightening crooked, weak or thin teeth with Clear Aligner Therapy
  • Whitening severely stained teeth
  • Lengthening teeth that are too short with Veneers
  • Filling gaps in between teeth with Bioclear

Second it is important for patients to expect the dentist to help them consider different procedures. The dentists at Renaissance Dental Center and our staff are trained to know what procedures will work best for certain conditions, which is why they help recommend the appropriate ones. For example, a cracked tooth may benefit from a dental crown or dental bonding, both of which are smile makeover options. Once the dentist makes their recommendation, the patient can begin to consider their options.

Your timeline is another expectation for the smile makeover consultation is for a timeline to be determined. Most patients want to know how long the process will take so that they can prepare appropriately. Certain smile makeover procedures may take a few months, which is good to be aware of prior to the process beginning. On the flip side, it is good to be aware of procedures that may not take as long, which can be helpful if the patient needs to undergo multiple procedures, such as teeth straightening and whitening. Oftentimes, multiple procedures are combined to complete a smile makeover because there may be multiple goals. Being aware of how long it may take can be helpful for the patient.

Done be afraid to ask questions.  The last part of the smile makeover consultation is to go over questions and concerns. Patients should expect the dentist and staff to discuss concerns that they have with the treatment and vice versa. Our team will answer any questions or concerns regarding the smile makeover so that the patient knows what to expect and how to prepare. This part of the consultation is extremely important because it allows for open communication between the dentist and the patient.