Implant Surgery & Support
Loose or ill-fitting dentures
Dentures do not loosen because they were made badly. They loosen because the bone underneath them is disappearing — and that is a problem a reline cannot fix.
Why dentures become loose
A conventional denture rests on gum tissue. It does not stimulate the jawbone beneath, because nothing transmits force down into it the way a tooth root would.
Over time that unstimulated bone resorbs and the ridge shrinks. The denture was fitted to a ridge that no longer exists, so it moves.
Relines restore the fit temporarily by rebuilding the denture to match today's ridge. They do nothing about the ongoing bone loss, which is why each reline buys less time than the last.
Two solutions that actually address the cause
Implant-Supported Dentures
A semi-removable option using two to four implants to anchor the denture mechanically. The implants load the bone and slow the resorption. Treatment takes four to six months, and typically costs $12,000 to $18,000.
All-on-4 Implants
A fixed full-arch restoration with non-removable teeth. Temporary teeth can be placed the same day, with the permanent prosthetic fitted after four to six months. Typically $12,000 to $18,000 and up.
The case for acting sooner
Every year spent in a loose conventional denture is another year of bone loss — and bone volume is precisely what determines which implant options remain available to you.
Patients who move to implants earlier generally need less grafting, have more options, and get a better final result. Patients who wait until the denture is unwearable often need reconstruction first.
From dentures to implants: what the change involves
Moving from a conventional denture to an implant-supported one follows a set path, and knowing it in advance takes much of the worry out of the decision.
- Assessment with a 3D scan. A CBCT scan shows how much bone remains in each jaw and where the nerves and sinuses sit. This, more than anything, decides which options are open to you.
- Bone loss check. Years in a denture shrink the ridge. If the bone is adequate, implants can be placed directly; if not, grafting or a design that uses the bone that remains, such as a full-arch bridge on angled implants, is planned.
- Snap-in or fixed. A snap-in (removable) overdenture clips onto two to four implants and comes out for cleaning. A fixed bridge on four to six implants stays in place at all times and is cleaned like teeth. Cost, cleaning ability and how much stability you want all feed into the choice.
- Keeping your existing denture as a temporary. In many cases your current denture is adjusted and worn while the implants heal, so you are never without teeth. For fixed cases a temporary bridge is often fitted on the day of surgery.
- Typical timeline. Planning takes two to three weeks. Implant surgery is a single visit. Healing runs eight to twelve weeks for a snap-in denture, and three to four months before the final fixed bridge is made, though a temporary fixed bridge can often be worn from day one.
Read more about implant-supported dentures, full-arch dental implants, and why acting before facial collapse sets in keeps more options open. If you are weighing a new conventional denture instead, our dentures page explains what to expect.
Questions about your procedure?
Book a free consultation with Dr. Singh to discuss which option fits your jaw and your budget. Call (905) 479-7777.