Building on the Implant

A series of procedures are performed by the general dentist or prosthodontist to build the tooth or provide a substructure for a denture. Implants can be used to either replace a single tooth, several teeth, or support a bar or other attachment that secures a denture. These procedures are varied and highly specific for each person and each situation. The procedures generally include multiple visits where impressions are taken, temporaries are made, and adjustments required to achieve optimal results.

Implants are especially useful when securing loose dentures. Although there are many different types of attachments for dentures, I prefer magnets. Magnets are very predictable, cost-effective, low maintenance and create a very tight bond between the implant and the denture. The use of magnets in dentistry gets a bad rap because they have a reputation for corroding over time and causing an ugly metallic stain in the denture. The difference today is that the magnets are encased in plastic, eliminating this problem.