Dental Implants
Implant-Supported Dentures in Charleston, SC
Dentures held in place by implants, not adhesive.
Implant-supported dentures combine the convenience of a denture with the security of dental implants. Dr. Paolo Incampo, DMD, a prosthodontist, plans the implants and designs the teeth they hold, whether you choose a denture that snaps on or a fixed set.
Replace missing teeth. Rebuild your smile.
A denture with something to hold on to
A traditional denture rests on the gums and relies on suction or adhesive to stay put, which is why it can slip or click while you eat and speak. Implant-supported dentures are anchored to titanium implants placed in the jawbone, so the teeth stay secure and no messy adhesive is needed. Because the implants act like tooth roots, they stimulate the bone beneath them, which helps preserve the jawbone and the shape of your face. You can choose a removable denture that snaps onto the implants or a hybrid prosthesis that is fixed in place and does not come out at night. Your prosthodontist plans the implants with a 3D CBCT scan and designs the denture around your bite, so the same doctor oversees treatment from the first scan to the final teeth.
How they compare with traditional dentures
Traditional dentures can take some getting used to, especially at mealtimes. With implants holding the denture, chewing comes much closer to natural, and the teeth stay where they belong when you bite or talk. A conventional denture does nothing to slow the shrinking of the jawbone after teeth are lost, while implants stimulate the bone much as natural roots do.
Removable or fixed: two ways to anchor your teeth
Both options attach a set of replacement teeth to dental implants. The difference is whether you take them out.
- Snap-on implant denturesThe denture clips onto the implants, so it stays in place while you eat and speak, then comes out for cleaning. You keep the familiar routine of a denture with far more stability.
- Hybrid prosthesisYour new teeth are secured to the implants and are not taken out at home, so they hold steady while you chew. It is the fixed alternative to a removable denture.
- Full-arch optionsWhen a whole upper or lower arch is replaced, full-arch implants anchor the teeth without adhesive. All-on-4 and All-on-6 use four or six implants for the arch, and the right number depends on your bone and your goals.
What treatment involves
- A consultation, an exam of your teeth and gums, and a 3D CBCT scan of your jawbone
- A plan that sets out your options and steps, with a written estimate
- Implant placement with the area fully numbed, and sedation if you feel anxious
- Time for the implants to heal before the final teeth are attached
- A denture or hybrid designed for your bite and checked for comfort
Looking after implant-supported dentures
- Daily cleaningClean the teeth every day and brush around the implants where they meet the gums.
- Snap-on setsA removable denture comes out at night, so your gums can rest while it is cleaned and soaked.
- Fixed setsA hybrid stays in, so it is cleaned in place much like natural teeth.
- Regular checkupsRoutine visits let the implants, gums and fit be checked over time.
Costs and related care
Coverage for implant treatment varies between dental plans, so we review your benefits and give you a written estimate before treatment begins. Cherry, CareCredit and Proceed Finance offer monthly payments, and our payment plans page explains the options. Learn how dental implants work, or compare the removable options on our dentures page.
The short answer
Implant-supported dentures are dentures anchored to dental implants in the jawbone, so they stay in place while you eat and speak without slipping, clicking or adhesive. They come in two forms: a removable denture that snaps onto the implants, and a hybrid prosthesis fixed to the implants that does not come out at night. Because the implants stimulate the jawbone much as natural roots do, they also help preserve bone and facial structure after teeth are lost.
Implant-supported dentures FAQ
- What are implant-supported dentures?
- Implant-supported dentures are replacement teeth anchored to dental implants in the jawbone instead of resting on the gums alone. They combine the convenience of a denture with the security of implants. Depending on your plan, the denture either snaps onto the implants and can be removed, or is fixed in place as a hybrid prosthesis. Either way, the teeth stay secure without adhesive.
- Are implant-supported dentures better than traditional dentures?
- For many patients they are, because implants hold the denture firmly instead of leaving it to rely on the gums and adhesive. They do not slip or click, chewing comes closer to natural, and the implants help preserve the jawbone. Because placing implants is a surgical step, your health and jawbone are reviewed before a plan is recommended. A traditional denture remains an option when implants are not suitable.
- What is the difference between a snap-on denture and a hybrid prosthesis?
- A snap-on denture is removable, while a hybrid prosthesis is fixed to the implants. The snap-on version clips onto the implants for stability and comes out for cleaning and at night. A hybrid stays in place, functions like natural teeth and is not taken out at home. Your 3D scan, your bone and your goals help decide which one suits you.
- Do implant-supported dentures protect the jawbone?
- Yes, the implants help preserve the jawbone, which a denture resting on the gums cannot do. Like natural tooth roots, implants stimulate the bone around them and help prevent the shrinkage that follows tooth loss. Keeping that bone also helps maintain your facial structure. Where some bone is already gone, grafting or a sinus lift can often restore it first.
- How do I care for implant-supported dentures?
- Clean them every day and keep up with routine dental checkups. A snap-on denture is taken out at night so your gums can rest, and it can be cleaned and soaked before it goes back in. A fixed hybrid stays in, so you clean around it and the implants daily, much as you would natural teeth. At your checkups, the implants, gums and fit of the denture are checked.
- Can I have implant-supported dentures if I have lost jawbone?
- Often, yes, because lost bone can frequently be rebuilt before the implants are placed. A bone graft or sinus lift can often restore enough bone to hold an implant. A 3D CBCT scan gives a three-dimensional view of your jawbone, so the implants can be planned precisely before treatment begins. Your health history is reviewed too, since uncontrolled diabetes or heavy smoking can slow healing.
- How do I schedule a consultation for implant-supported dentures?
- You can book online or call the office to schedule a consultation. Dr. Incampo talks through your goals, checks your teeth and gums, and takes a 3D CBCT scan. You then see your removable and fixed options, with a written estimate before treatment begins. No referral is required.
Book a visit
Start with a consultation.
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Insurance & financing
Call with your plan details and we’ll check your benefits and give you a written estimate before treatment begins.
Payment plans and third-party financing are available for routine care and for larger treatment such as dental implants and full mouth reconstruction.
