Understanding Implant Overdentures

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Traditional dentures have helped many people restore their smile, but they often come with challenges. Slipping, discomfort, and difficulty eating certain foods are common complaints. That’s where implant overdentures come into play. They combine the stability of dental implants with the convenience of a denture, creating a solution that feels more natural for everyday life. Your dentist in Alabaster, AL is proud to be able to offer this extra alternative.

How They Work

Implant overdentures use a series of small implants placed in the jaw. These implants act like anchors, snapping securely into the denture so it stays in place. Unlike traditional dentures that rely on adhesives or suction, overdentures are supported by bone, which gives them far more stability. Patients can talk, laugh, and eat without worrying that their denture will shift.

Everyday Benefits

One of the biggest advantages is confidence. People with implant overdentures often report being able to enjoy foods they had avoided for years, from crisp apples to steak. Clear speech is another improvement, since slipping dentures no longer interfere with how words sound. There’s also a health benefit: implants stimulate the jawbone, which helps reduce the bone loss that often occurs with traditional dentures.

How They Differ From Regular Implants

Implant overdentures aren’t the same as getting a full set of traditional implants. A regular implant replaces one tooth at a time with its own crown, which can be more extensive and require many individual placements for a full mouth. Overdentures, by contrast, use fewer implants to support an entire arch of teeth. This approach gives patients much of the stability of implants but with a simpler treatment plan.

Implant overdentures in Alabaster, AL are about more than just replacing teeth—they restore stability, comfort, and confidence. For many patients, they feel like a step closer to having natural teeth again. Contact Albritton and Ardovino Family Dentistry to learn more.

5 Things to Know About Maintaining Dental Implants

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If you’re new to dental implants, your dentist in Alabaster, AL, can tell you what you need to know about taking care of them. Dental implants need to be kept clean and treated properly to avoid damage. Below, we list five things you need to know about taking care of your dental implants.

1. Brush Implants Daily

Dental implants need daily brushing, just like your teeth. Here are some tips for brushing your dental implants:

  • Use a soft-bristle toothbrush.
  • Use non-abrasive toothpaste.
  • Brush your teeth for two minutes each time.
  • Avoid any toothpaste that claims to whiten or brighten your teeth.

If you need toothpaste recommendations, talk to your dentist for advice.

2. Avoid Chewing Any Non-Food Items

Dental implants can safely chew various types of food, but they should not be used to tear through non-food items. Do not use your dental implants as scissors to rip through packaging. Avoid chewing pen caps or ice cubes. If you have questions about what you can and can’t chew with your dental implants, talk to your dentist.

3. Floss Your Implants As Directed

Dental implants can be flossed. It’s important to floss around your dental implants to avoid problems like gum disease and gum recession. Your dentist can show you how to floss around your dental implant once it’s installed.

4. Don’t Whiten Your Teeth

Dental implants don’t respond to whitening products. If you whiten your teeth, your dental implant will stay the same color, causing your teeth to be mismatched. Don’t whiten your teeth!

5. See the Dentist Regularly

See your dentist every six months. During your check-ups, the dentist will check your dental implants to ensure they’re in good condition. If you have questions about caring for your dental implants in Alabaster, AL, call Albritton and Ardovino Family Dentistry today.

Can My Dental Implants Be Whitened? And Other Frequently Asked Questions About Dental Implants

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Dental implants are one of the most popular artificial tooth options available for patients missing a tooth. If you have a missing tooth and are interested in dental implants, you may have questions about dental implants and how they work in the mouth. Your dentist in Alabaster, AL, can help answer your questions. Below, we’ve listed commonly asked questions about dental implants.

Can My Dental Implants Be Whitened?

Dental implants cannot be whitened by professional whitening processes. If you whiten your natural teeth, your dental implants will stay the same color. This can cause your teeth to become mismatched.

How Long Do Dental Implants Last?

Dental implants are designed to last a long time. If properly maintained, some dental implants can last a lifetime. It’s important to maintain good oral health and hygiene, and to work with your dentist to maintain healthy teeth.

How Are Dental Implants Maintained?

Dental implants are maintained in the same way that natural teeth are maintained: with good oral hygiene habits. Brush your teeth twice per day with a non-abrasive toothpaste. Abrasive toothpastes have a whitening effect that can scratch your dental implant.

Use a soft-bristle toothbrush when you’re brushing your teeth. Brush for two minutes at a time.

See your dentist twice every year for a dental exam and cleaning. During your dental exam, the dentist will look for problems with your dental implants. If your dentist identifies a problem, they’ll propose a solution to help your dental implants last.

Are you interested in dental implants in Alabaster, AL? Call today to make an appointment.

3 Reasons to Replace That Lost Permanent Tooth With An Implant

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A lost permanent tooth can have a big impact on your mouth. One missing tooth can affect everything from your appearance to how you eat meals.

As your dentist in Alabaster, AL, we strongly recommend that patients who have lost a permanent tooth consider implants or another form of tooth replacement. In case you’re unsure whether implants are right for you, we’ve listed three great reasons to consider replacing a lost permanent tooth with a dental implant.

1. Gaps Between Teeth Can Lead to Tooth Misalignment

One thing that keeps most teeth in place is other nearby teeth. When one tooth goes missing, adjacent teeth may shift slightly to fill in the gap. This can lead to problems like tooth and jaw misalignment. Filling in the gap between your teeth with an implant can prevent this from happening.

2. A Missing Tooth Makes Meals Difficult

We need all of our teeth to chew our food properly. A missing permanent tooth can make chewing more difficult and even leave you feeling like you can’t eat some of your favorite foods. Luckily, implants can chew food just like natural teeth, so when you get your implants, you should be able to enjoy all your favorite foods again.

3. You’ll Feel Better When You Smile

A gap between teeth can make some people embarrassed or afraid to smile. You don’t have to feel that way! Installing dental implants in Alabaster, AL, can make your smile whole again. No one will be able to tell that you have implants because they’ll look just like your natural teeth.

Interested in dental implants? Call the professionals at Albritton and Ardovino Family Dentistry to make an appointment.

Will You Need a Bone Graft for Dental Implants?

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Implant overdentures in Alabaster AL are a permanent tooth replacement option and a popular alternative to traditional removable dentures. With this procedure, you have several implant posts installed in your jawbone that support your new dentures. Implant supported dentures look and function as natural teeth, and you never have to worry about removing them to clean separately or having them fall out of your mouth.

Implant Surgery Sometimes Requires a Bone Graft

The area of your jawbone where Dr. Albritton or Dr. Ardovino installs your dental implants must be strong enough to support them. Some patients lack strong enough bone to support implants, but that does not mean they cannot go through with the procedure. They may just need a simple bone graft before receiving the implants.

When you come to Albritton and Ardovino Family Dentistry for your initial consultation, your dentist will let you know if you are a good candidate for implant overdentures. You will also find out if you need a bone graft at that time.

What is a Bone Graft?

A bone graft is a minor oral health procedure where Dr. Albritton or Dr. Ardovino remove small fragments of bone from another area of your jaw and transfer it to the area receiving a dental implant. We also receive donor bone from cadavers that we can use if you do not have enough to spare in any area of your jaw. Using bone created artificially with calcium carbonate and hydroxyapatite is another option.

Schedule a Consultation to Learn More About Implant Overdentures

If you are missing at least one natural tooth, implant supported dentures in Alabaster AL may be the ideal treatment option for you. You can also receive them if you no longer have any remaining natural teeth or anything in between. We invite you to visit us to determine if you would like to move forward with this procedure.

Do Dental Implants Feel Like Real Teeth?

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Dental implants are an excellent option for anyone with a gap (or two) in their smile. Not only are they secured to your jaw via a metal post, but they look like your real teeth too. Of course, what they look like and what they feel like can be two entirely different things. If you’re researching dental implants in Alabaster, AL, we’ll look at whether you can tell the difference.

The Healing Process

The healing process is the major caveat if you’re interested in dental implants, because they might not feel natural immediately. The good news is that it doesn’t take very long before everything starts to fall into place. Because the metal post is right next to the jawbone, it will eventually fuse there. That means you won’t be able to tell the difference between the post and the bone itself. The crown is bonded in place so that it won’t move around when you chew or speak.

It’s worth noting that the healing process will depend on the individual, so it’s difficult to give an exact timeframe for when everything will get back to normal. As your mouth is getting used to the post, which can take a while, you will need to be careful about how you chew. You can talk to your dentist about when you can start to treat your implants as normal teeth, as you will need the soft tissue to mend before you can really eat like you normally would.

Implants in Alabaster

Implants are a smarter choice than dentures or bridges because they’re as close to your real teeth as you’re liable to get. This makes it easier for you to floss, chew, speak, brush, and maintain your oral health. However, there are a few things that you should know about the details of the procedure before you decide whether it’s right for you.

If you’re looking for a dentist in Alabaster, AL, it’s important to find a professional who knows the ins and outs of implants. At Albritton and Ardovino Family Dentistry, our staff can evaluate your eligibility and tell you more about what your experience is likely to be.