Fixed and Removable Dental Plate Solutions in Springfield, MO [Video Walkthrough]

A dental plate, also known as a denture, is a long-standing method of tooth replacement. For centuries, we have been using some form of a denture to replace missing teeth and restore our ability to chew. However, over the years, we’ve refined the process. Rather than use wood, gold, or ivory, we use materials like acrylic or plastic! These restorations are custom-fit to the contours of your mouth, using your gums and jawbone for support. Unfortunately, traditional dental plate solutions aren’t always the best choice, as they tend to lose their fit over time. But at the Mini Dental Implant Center of America (MDICA) in Springfield, MO, we provide fixed dentures that restore your smile and stay secure.

How We Secure Your Dental Plate

A traditional dental plate uses your jawbone for support.

Lower full dentures simply rest against your jaw, fitting perfectly along the ridge of your bone. Upper full dentures are secured to the roof of your mouth by suction. Using the acrylic base, we cover as much surface area as possible. Then, saliva in your mouth creates retention, keeping your upper denture in place.

However, the upper dental plate may be uncomfortable, and the lower plate will loosen over time. Fortunately, the MDICA in Springfield, MO, has a solution!

Using dental implants, we secure your denture in place. These titanium screws embed in your jawbone to take the place of your natural tooth roots. And thanks to their biocompatible design, these implants will eventually integrate with bone, creating a strong foundation for your denture.

Mini Dental Implants 101

At our office, we use mini dental implants, rather than conventional dental implants.

Mini implants are much smaller in diameter and have a solid one-piece design. This structure provides many benefits to patients, including:

• Less invasive procedure: Because mini implants are smaller than conventional implants, they require a less invasive procedure. This minimally invasive procedure involves making a small pilot hole in your jaw and placing the implant in one appointment.
• More comfortable solution: The minimally invasive mini implant technique results in less discomfort and easier healing. For most patients, any pain or discomfort is easily managed with over-the-counter medications.
• Faster healing time: With only one placement appointment and a minimally invasive procedure, mini implants typically heal faster than conventional implants. In general, you may only need to wait a few weeks for your mini implants to heal, rather than several months.
• More affordable dentures: In most situations, mini dental implants are more affordable than conventional implants. With fewer parts and appointments to pay for, mini implants may cost even half as much as their conventional counterparts.

Fixed Dental Plate Solutions

Using dental implants, we will provide you with either a fixed or a removable dental plate.

A removable dental plate, also known as a stabilized denture, uses 4 to 8 mini implants. We strategically place these implants around your jaw and install matching housings with rubber O-rings in the base. These rings are what secure the denture to your implant, creating a stable smile.

A fixed dental plate, also known as an implant-supported denture, refers to a roundhouse bridge. Roundhouse bridges are sleek prosthetics that resemble an arch of natural teeth. But like a denture, these teeth secure directly to mini implants we place around your jaw.

It’s important to note that you never remove roundhouse bridges. While we will remove a semi-removable roundhouse bridge during routine dental visits, non-removable roundhouse bridges are cemented in place. You treat these restorations like your natural teeth, brushing and flossing with a water flosser. And thanks to the incredible stability dental implants provide, you can eat all the foods you love without hesitation.

Both fixed and removable options are excellent solutions. The decision between the two depends on the amount of available bone, the number of implants we can fit, and your long-term and financial goals. To learn what implant denture is best for your smile, book a free implant consultation at the MDICA in Springfield, MO!

Keep Your Smile Stable With Implant Dentures in Springfield, MO

A dental plate is a denture made to fit in your mouth and replace your missing teeth. But traditional dentures aren’t always the best solution for a stable smile. If you’re looking for a more secure denture, we recommend using dental implants to anchor your dental plate in place. At the MDICA in Springfield, MO, we use mini dental implants. To learn if you’re eligible for any of our implant denture solutions, book a free implant consultation with us!

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