Based on your circumstances, you may use dentures or dental bridges. That’s fine – such prosthetics are effective at restoring patient smiles. Still, maybe you want to replace existing restorations with dental implants. The latter option is often more appealing. That said, is this sort of replacement possible? To answer your answer: Yes! With the right preparation, you can switch out dentures or bridges for implants. Find out how in this summary from your local Jersey City dentist.
Yes, Implants Can Replace Existing Restorations
Even if you already use dentures or bridges, a dentist can replace them with implants. However, the process will vary based on your existing restorations. Read on to learn how it works for each kind of appliance:
How Implants Replace Dentures
If you’ve been wearing dentures for years, you’ve likely lost bone tissue in your jaw. Given that fact, you may need a bone graft before starting implant treatment. Only then will your jaw be strong enough to support dental implants.
Following the (possible) bone graft, implant placement is straightforward. The dentist will first place the implants in the appropriate jaw sockets of your jaw. Once that’s done, the restorations will gradually fuse with your jaw over six months. At the tail-end of that process, the dental team will affix abutments and implant-supported dentures to the implants.
How Implants Replace Dental Bridges
Just as dentures don’t prevent jawbone loss, the same applies to dental bridges. So, a bridge patient may require a bone graft before implant surgery.
Replacing bridges with implants is easy, assuming the (potential) bone graft goes well. For starters, the dentist will remove your regular dental bridge and make an implant-supported type. (This latter step could take several weeks.) When the implant bridge is ready, they’ll affix it where the missing teeth used to be.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Compared to dentures or bridges, implants have special perks you won’t find elsewhere. The most common of these include:
- Lifelike Smile – Because implants look and behave like natural teeth, most won’t even know you have them. The simple fact is that the prosthetics blend perfectly with the rest of your smile.
- A Younger Face – Implants keep your jawbone from eroding, preventing facial collapse and thus preserving your face.
- Long-Lasting Results – While dentures and bridges last 5-7 years on average, the typical implant has a lifespan of 15-20 years. When well-maintained, it can even last 30 years or more!
As you can see, replacing existing restorations with dental implants is possible. Talk to your local dental provider about when to start the treatment!
About the Practice
AV Dental Associates of Jersey City is based in Jersey City, NJ. Led by a wonderful quartet of dentists, our practice’s high-quality dentistry uplifts entire lives. As such, we perform preventive, cosmetic, and restorative treatments, as well as emergency dental procedures. We’re thus ready to provide you with dental checkups or the very best in dental implants. For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (847)-864-0188.
