Implant-Supported Dentures in Lakewood, WA
For many people in Lakewood and Tacoma, traditional dentures can be a source of frustration, slipping at the wrong time, causing sore spots, or requiring messy adhesives to stay in place. At the office of Dr. Kevin Kim, DDS, we offer a life-changing alternative: Implant-Supported Dentures. By anchoring your dentures to specialized titanium posts, we provide a level of security that allows you to eat, speak, and smile with total confidence. It is the perfect blend of the full-arch coverage of a denture with the rock-solid foundation of dental implants.
Two Paths to a Secure Smile
Depending on your goals and the health of your jawbone, Dental Health Associates offers two primary types of implant-supported restorations:
- Removable “Snap-On” Dentures: Also known as overdentures, these typically use 2 to 4 implants. The denture features specialized attachments that “snap” onto the implants, holding it firmly in place during the day while allowing you to remove it at night for easy cleaning.
- Fixed “Permanent” Dentures: Often called hybrid dentures or All-on-4®, these are screwed directly onto 4 to 6 implants. They are not removable by the patient and function exactly like natural teeth, you brush them in your mouth and never have to worry about them shifting or being misplaced.
Why Choose the Implant Path?
At our Lakewood office, we find that our neighbors in University Place and Steilacoom prefer implant-supported solutions for several major reasons:
- No More Slipping: Because they are anchored in the bone, these dentures won’t wobble or click while you talk or enjoy a meal.
- Stop Bone Loss: Traditional dentures actually speed up bone loss by putting pressure on the gums. Implants do the opposite, they stimulate the jawbone just like natural roots, preserving your facial structure and preventing a “sunken” appearance.
- Better Nutrition: With a vastly improved biting force (restoring up to 90% of natural chewing power), you can return to eating the foods you love, like steak, apples, and crunchy vegetables.
- Adhesive-Free Living: Say goodbye to the cost and mess of denture creams and sticky pastes for good.
The Specialist Approach for “Impossible” Cases
As a Dental Implant Periodontist with over 20 years of experience, Dr. Kevin Kim specializes in creating the healthy foundation needed for these restorations. Using CBCT 3D Imaging, he maps out the densest areas of your bone to ensure maximum stability. Even if you’ve been told you don’t have enough bone for implants, Dr. Kim’s expertise in Bone Grafting and Sinus Lifts can often make this “impossible” solution a reality for patients from JBLM to Clover Park.
Reclaiming your smile is about more than just aesthetics; it’s about quality of life. To learn more about the long-term benefits of implant-stabilized prosthetics, you can visit the American Academy of Periodontology or the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Dr. Kevin Kim and his team are ready to help you trade your loose dentures for a foundation you can trust.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Service
Are implant-supported dentures worth it?
Implant-supported dentures offer significant advantages over traditional dentures, such as improved stability and the prevention of bone loss. Because the titanium posts fuse with your jawbone, the dentures will not slip, click, or make noise, providing a functional solution that feels more like natural teeth.
What are the disadvantages of implant-supported dentures?
The main disadvantages are the total treatment time and the requirement for surgery. The process can take several months to allow for bone healing (osseointegration), and some patients may require additional procedures like bone grafting if their jawbone isn’t thick enough to support the implants.
Are implant-supported dentures painful?
The surgical placement of the implants is typically performed under local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia to ensure you don’t feel pain during the procedure. Post-surgery, it is normal to experience some bruising, swelling, and minor pain, which can usually be managed with over-the-counter or prescribed medications.
How long do implant-supported dentures last?
The titanium implant posts themselves are designed to be a permanent solution and can last a lifetime when properly integrated with the bone. While the denture attachment may experience wear over many years, the solid foundation provided by the implants is highly durable and resists the decay that affects natural teeth.
Do implant-supported dentures cover the roof of your mouth?
Unlike traditional upper dentures which often require a palette for suction, implant-supported versions are secured by metal posts. This often allows for a more open design that doesn’t necessarily need to cover the roof of the mouth, improving the patient’s ability to taste and feel the temperature of food.