Implant-supported Dentures

Removable Overdenture on an Implant Bar

Implant Supported Denture

Fixed Implant Supported Bridge

Get Your Smile and Life Back with Implant-supported Dentures

So many patients who have chosen implant-supported dentures report that they are happy, comfortable, and regained their confidence for the first time since the loss of their natural teeth. Implant-supported dentures are the closest thing to your own natural teeth. 

Traditional dentures rest on the gums and are not supported by implants in the mouth. Rather than having your gums serve as the only foundation for your dentures, implant-supported dentures are anchored to your jaw with dental implants. This makes them a more functional, stable, and resilient option than conventional dentures.

Since implant-supported dentures are completely implant-supported, there is no pressure being exerted on your gums. This means that they will not rub and cause sore spots. Because they are implant based, this also means that they are constantly stimulating your jawbone. This eliminates bone loss which would happen with non-implant-supported dentures. Over time, this leads to a healthier mouth overall and means that you will not suffer the same cosmetic ill-effects that come alongside traditional dentures, like sinking lips and cheeks.

If a patient has enough bone in the jaw for the implants, then an implant-supported denture is a wonderful option.

What is a Dental Implant?

You are never too late to go for a dental check-up, as maintaining a healthy smile is essential regardless of your age. Our teeth need extra care and attention as we age, and Hosack Denture Clinic is willing to offer you complete dental services in Lethbridge. 


With proper care and consistent visits to our dentist, you can maintain optimal oral hygiene and enjoy a healthy and beautiful smile. Whether you need relines, denture repairs, teeth whitening or mouth guard, we can help you with it all. If you want to ask a question or need a service, connect with our team today for a consultation.



What Are the Main Types of Implant-supported Dentures?

There are two main types of dentures: Removable Implant-Supported Dentures and Fixed Implant-Supported Dentures.

Removable Implant-Supported Dentures

This type of denture is supported by implants but is still removable by the wearer and is usually recommended for patients who have tooth loss, but still have enough supportive bone in their jaw to support the implants. These implant supported dentures do not sit on the gums, but are attached to the implants, making them much more comfortable than conventional dentures. There are two types of removable implant-supported dentures: bar retained and ball-retained. In both cases, the denture will be made of an acrylic base that will look like your natural gums. Porcelain or acrylic teeth that look like natural teeth are then attached to the base.

Bar-retained dentures

A thin metal bar that follows the curve of your jaw is attached to two to five implants that have been placed in your jawbone. Clips or other types of attachments are fitted to the bar, the denture or both. The denture fits over the bar and is securely clipped into place by the attachments.

Ball-retained dentures

Each implant in the jawbone holds a metal attachment that fits into another attachment on the denture. In most cases, the attachments on the implants are ball-shaped ("male" attachments), and they fit into sockets ("female" attachments) on the denture.

Locator-retained dentures

A thin metal bar that follows the curve of your jaw is attached to two to five implants that have been placed in your jawbone. Clips or other types of attachments are fitted to the bar, the denture or both. The denture fits over the bar and is securely clipped into place by the attachments.

Fixed Implant-Supported Dentures

Fixed Implant-Supported Dentures are the most permanent dental implant. They are extremely lifelike and are the option that is closest to natural teeth. A fixed denture is screwed (or fixed) into your mouth. It remains in your mouth all the time and only your denturist or dentist can remove them. This option usually requires the biggest investment but can be life-changing for those who want freedom from having to care for their dentures every day, although daily brushing like your natural teeth and regular hygiene appointments are still necessary.

Which Dental Implant is Best For Me?

There are several factors that will determine the right type of dental implant for you. This will depend on the position and number of teeth that you are missing, the integrity of your bone, as well as your age and expectations.



Our team at Hosack Denture Clinic will review your options and help you decide which type of implant is best for your needs and lifestyle. If you are interested in booking a free implant-supported denture consultation to discuss if implant-supported dentures are right for you, call
403-327-7244.

Are Dental Implants for You?

Do you find chewing difficult? Does eating raw vegetables hurt your gums? Are your dentures loose, causing frequent soreness? Are your gums shrinking? You may be a candidate for dentures on implants.


Dental implants are artificial titanium roots that are placed into the jaw, where they bond with the jawbone to form virtually permanent supports for stabilizing complete or partial dentures. Such stabilization significantly reduces bone loss or “resorption”, which naturally occurs whenever natural teeth are missing and have not been replaced. By preventing the bone resorption, dental implants preserve the integrity of the facial structures.


The number of implants placed, and their location, is determined by the quantity and quality of available bone. Implants are placed into the jawbone by a dentist who has had specialized training in implant placement.


Once the implants have been placed, conventional dentures with temporary liners can be worn while the implant sites are healing. Once healing is complete, and the implant exposed, the removable implant-supported denture will be constructed and attached.

Because the new denture can be firmly anchored to the man-made roots (implants), there is none of the slipping and sliding associated with conventional dentures.

The biting and chewing function are greatly improved, resulting in better digestion of food. Patients can eat their favourite foods again, even corn on the cob and apples. They speak and smile with confidence, without fear of dentures dropping.


Anyone in good general health with missing teeth is a candidate for implant dentures. There are a few conditions which can undermine the success of implant treatment, such as uncontrolled diabetes and heavy smoking.


Many of the people who now enjoy the benefits of implant-supported dentures claim their self-esteem and self-confidence have been restored as a result of improved appearance, function, comfort and health.


If you’d like to learn more about dental implants and find out if they are for you. Call Hosack Denture Clinic at 403-327-7244 for a no charge consultation.

Benefits of Implant-supported Dentures

Overall quality of life is enhanced with replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth, resulting in increased comfort and confidence when smiling, speaking and eating.

  • Prevents bone loss (resorption)

    Dental implants act like natural teeth by stimulating the bone and preventing bone loss caused by missing tooth roots.

  • The integrity of the facial structure is preserved

    By preventing bone resorption which normally occurs with tooth loss, the facial structures remain intact.

  • The mouth is restored to an “almost” natural state

    The denture is firmly anchored to the dental implants with a strong, stable foundation allowing comfortable biting and chewing.

  • Improved health

    Due to improved nutrition and proper digestion. Implant-supported dentures enable you to eat a varied, healthy diet.

  • Improved taste

    The roof of the mouth is not covered allowing food to be fully tasted.

  • Improved confidence

    A feeling of security that your teeth won’t fall out when eating, laughing, or sneezing, since they are securely attached to the implants.

  • Improved appearance

    Implants preserve bone, and prevent the deterioration of the facial structures, minimizing the effects of aging, helping you to look younger.

  • Elimination of denture adhesives

    Implant-supported dentures are securely attached to the implants and do not require denture adhesives.

  • Improved speech

    Removable conventional dentures can slip within the mouth causing slurring of words, but implant-supported dentures eliminate these problems.

  • Enhanced quality of life

    Call Hosack Denture Clinic 403-327-7244 for all your denture needs and let us show you a “Better Way to Eat, Smile and Live”.

FAQs

about Implant-supported Dentures

  • What Are Dental Implants?

    Dental implants are the substitute tooth roots used to replace your natural roots for missing teeth. They are fabricated of titanium and placed into the jaw. Dental implants bond with the jawbone and form virtually permanent supports for replacement teeth. This bonding process is known as “osseointegration.”



    Tooth roots are naturally embedded into the jawbone. Their job is to stimulate bone growth and to provide a stable foundation necessary to bite and chew. When natural teeth are missing, the bone which previously supported the missing teeth deteriorates and shrinks because the bone growth is unable to stimulate due to the missing tooth roots. This process of bone shrinkage is called “bone resorption.” 



    The bone can now be preserved by replacing the missing natural tooth roots with their replacement, dental implants. The bone establishes a strong bond to the titanium used in fabricating the dental implant and performs a similar function as the natural tooth roots, providing continued bone stimulation and stable support for a denture.

  • What Are the Benefits of Implant-supported Dentures?

    You can enhance the overall quality of your life with replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. It results in increased comfort and confidence when smiling, eating and speaking.


    Implant-supported dentures:


    Prevent bone loss: One of the most devastating problems for patients wearing removable dentures is the loss of bone occurring over time due to missing tooth roots. As a result, conventional dentures become more difficult to wear as the ridge gradually shrinks. It provides less area to support the denture. Dental implants act like natural teeth and facilitate bone stimulation and growth, preventing bone resorption.


    Preserve the integrity of the facial structure by preventing bone resorption that would normally occur with the loss of teeth and allowing the facial structures to remain intact.


    Restore the mouth to its natural state as closely as possible. The denture firmly anchored to the dental implants makes it possible to replicate the function of your natural teeth and provides a strong, stable foundation that allows comfortable biting and chewing.


    Improve health by enabling proper nutrition and digestion. You cannot eat many types of food with removable dentures. With implant-supported dentures, you can eat a varied, healthy diet that includes all necessary food groups for improved nutrition. Crunchy and chewy foods, including carrots, apples, corn on the cob, steak and lettuce, can all be eaten. Implant-supported dentures significantly improve your ability to chew on foods. Conventional dentures have only 20% to 25% chewing efficiency and bite force as your natural teeth, which means your food isn’t being ground as much as it should be, resulting in digestive issues. Implant-supported dentures depending on the type, can provide up to 90% chewing efficiency and bite force of your natural teeth. They function like natural teeth making eating an easy and enjoyable experience once again.


    Improve taste: A full upper removable denture covers the roof of the mouth, making food more difficult to taste and enjoy. With an implant-supported denture, the roof of the mouth is not covered, and food can be fully tasted!


    Improve confidence: Implants provide you with a feeling of security that your teeth will not fall out when eating, laughing or sneezing. Since the bone bonds to the titanium implants, the implant dentures have a stable foundation and are securely attached to the implants, so that there is no fear that your teeth will fall out. All regular activities can now be enjoyed without fear of embarrassment.


    Improve appearance: Implants preserve bone and prevent the deterioration of the facial structures, minimizing the effects of ageing, helping you to look younger.


    Eliminate denture adhesives: Since implant-supported dentures are securely attached to the implants, there is no need for messy denture adhesives.


    Improve speech: Removable conventional dentures can often make speaking sound garbled. The teeth can slip within the mouth, causing mumbling or slurring of words. With implant-supported dentures, these problems are eliminated, and patients feel confident that their teeth will not slip during a conversation.


    Enhance the quality of life: Many of our patients who now enjoy the benefits of implant-supported dentures say their self-esteem and self-confidence have been restored as a result of improved appearance, function, comfort and health. They love that they can eat whatever they want and can participate in activities that they had long given up for fear of losing their dentures.

  • Who Is a Candidate for Implant-supported Dentures?

    In most cases, anyone in good general health is a candidate for implant-supported dentures. A few medical conditions can undermine the success of implant treatment, including uncontrolled diabetes and heavy smoking. The amount and quality of bone you have for implant placement is also a qualifying factor for dental implant placement. In instances where patients do not have enough bone available for the placement of implants, new bone can be added by ridge augmentation procedures. Advancements in this type of treatment have made it possible for many patients who were previously not considered candidates to have successful implant treatment. We team with the dentist to place the implants to determine the best approach for your specific situation. He will also perform an oral exam, take scans, thoroughly check your medical history, dental history etc., to ensure that you will be a successful dental implant candidate.

  • Is Age a Factor for Having Implants Placed?

    The most important factor is your health rather than your age. Implants can be placed in patients in their teens, up to and including patients in their 90’s, giving them a new lease on life. Even though you may have lost your teeth many years ago and have been wearing conventional dentures for years, you are more than likely a good candidate for implant-supported dentures.


  • How Long Do Dental Implants and Implant-supported Dentures Last?

    Long-term studies have shown that dental implants last for periods of up to 25 years or more. The implant-supported denture should be replaced as often as a conventional denture, approximately every 5-7 years. You need to follow a specific oral hygiene program and have both the implants as well as the implant-supported denture checked regularly to ensure the integrity of the implants, the health of your gums, and the fit and function of the denture.

    The effectiveness and durability of the implant are often determined by the patient’s lifestyle. For example, those who are heavy smokers, have poor oral hygiene or grind their teeth can have a lower success rate and shorter implant life.

  • Who Performs the Implant Treatment?

    We have the most caring dentists on our team who have received specialized training in dental implants to offer you the best possible treatment. We work closely with the dentist who places the implants while we design, fit and fabricate the implant-supported denture. Our team believes in providing our patients with the highest possible care and after-care.

  • Is the Surgical Procedure Painful?

    Most of our patients tell us that the discomfort is far less than they expected and generally less to that experienced from the extraction of a tooth. The pain can be controlled by over-the-counter or prescription medication. While most of the implants are placed using a local anesthetic, sedation can be used with more apprehensive patients.

  • Will I Remain Teethless until the Final Implant-supported Dentures Are Fitted?

    Not necessarily. We can fit a temporary denture following the implant surgery if needed. It will look similar to the final denture, and you will maintain your normal daily routine.


  • How Much Time Does Complete Treatment Take?

    The time necessary to complete the treatment is dependent upon a couple of factors:


    • The type of implant procedure (see also All-on-4® procedure)
    • How long the patient takes to heal, and the implants to bond to the bone

    Dental implants function like natural tooth roots firmly embedded in the bone and preserve your bone. For the implants to embed in your bone, they must bond with your bone. The procedure can take around 3 to 9 months, depending upon the quality of bone into which the implants are placed. Once the bonding is complete, the final implant-supported denture can be constructed and inserted.

  • Is Special Care Needed for My Implants?

    Dental implants do not suffer from the problems of natural teeth, such as decay and hot and cold sensitivity. It is necessary, however, to brush and floss the teeth, abutments, and dentures, as well as maintain regular periodic check-ups with our office as well as the implant placement dentist and hygienist.

  • Will Others Know I Have Implant-supported Dentures?

    Today’s implant treatments enable you to have your new teeth look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. Even though others will be unaware that you have dental implants, many of our patients are so thrilled and find them so life-changing; they tell everyone they know!

  • Are Implant-supported Dentures as Strong as My Natural Teeth?

    Yes. Research shows that in many cases, implant-supported dentures are stronger than natural teeth, are 6-7 times stronger than conventional dentures, and can provide up to 100% better chewing efficiency. Whereas conventional dentures only provide 20% of the bite force of your natural teeth, implant-supported dentures can provide up to 90%. Implant-supported dentures can make it possible for you to enjoy your favourite foods, improve your nutrition and your appearance.

  • How Much Does Implant-supported Denture Treatment Cost?

    The cost of implant-supported denture treatment depends on the type of implant procedure as well as the number and type of implants placed. More complex treatments such as bone grafting will naturally add to the cost. The best way to accurately estimate the cost is to call our office for a no-cost, no-obligation consultation. We will refer you to one of the implant dentists on our team. We work together to provide the best quality treatment individualized for you. Your dental insurance can cover a part of the treatment, but it does not generally cover it all. What makes implant-supported dentures one of the best investments is the improvement in your self-confidence, comfort, eating habits, digestion, and appearance.  


    For a no-cost, no-obligation consultation to learn how implant-supported dentures can change your life, call Hosack Denture Clinic at 403-327-7244 today!