Disclaimer: This page is general educational information, not dental or medical advice. Only a licensed dentist or dental specialist who has examined you can recommend treatment. Individual results, risks and timelines vary.
Overview
Many denture wearers explore implants to improve stability. Options include implant-retained overdentures that snap onto implants and fixed full-arch prostheses.
Overdentures remain removable but are more stable. Fixed options are not removed by the patient. Each has different costs, maintenance and candidacy factors.
Bone loss under long-term dentures can affect options, sometimes requiring grafting.
The usual process
- Implant placement.
- Imaging to assess bone.
- Prosthesis fabrication.
- Discussion of overdenture vs. fixed options.
- Evaluation of current dentures and oral health.
What affects the outcome
- Overdentures are typically less complex than fixed options.
- Bone loss affects planning.
- Maintenance differs.
- Adjustment periods are normal.
- Costs vary.
Local notes for Colorado's Front Range
Colorado dental providers are licensed by the state, and you can verify a dentist's license through the Colorado Division of Professions and Occupations.
We take inquiries from Fort Collins, Boulder, Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo.
How to prepare your inquiry
- Note which teeth are missing or failing, how long they have been missing, and whether you currently wear a denture or partial.
- Write down your main goals, such as chewing comfort, appearance, stability of a denture or replacing a single tooth.
- Gather any recent dental X-rays or scans, along with the name of your current dentist, if you have them.
- Check what your dental insurance covers, if you have it, and whether financing matters to you.
- List your medications and relevant medical conditions so you can share them with the provider at your consultation.
Red flags to watch for
- A treatment recommendation made without an exam and appropriate imaging.
- No discussion of alternatives such as bridges, dentures or no treatment.
- Reluctance to explain the provider's training and experience with the specific procedure.
- Guarantees of results or claims that there are no risks.
- Unclear answers about who handles complications or follow-up care.
How to vet a provider
- What maintenance is required?
- Can my current denture be modified?
- Which options fit my situation?
- What are the risks?
- What's the timeline?
Common questions
- Are implant dentures better?
- They offer different benefits; the best choice depends on individual factors.
- Can I keep my existing denture?
- Sometimes it can be modified; your provider will advise.
- What is a snap-in denture?
- An overdenture that attaches to implants for stability but can be removed.
Related topics
- All-on-4 Style Full-Arch Options: What full-arch implant treatments involve, how they compare with dentures, and questions to ask a provider.
- Bone Grafting Information: Why bone grafting may be recommended before dental implants, types of grafts, and questions to ask a provider.
- Implant Consultations: What happens at a dental implant consultation, how to prepare, and questions to ask so you can compare providers.
Have a replacing dentures question for your situation? Use the form below to send an inquiry.