Implant Dentistry

Implant Supported Dentures ottawa dentist

Traditional & Implant Supported Dentures

Both Dr. Pliev and Dr. Plieva offer our patients dentures that are supported with dental implants.

Traditional dentures cause gum irritation and can move, slip, or fall out of the mouth. Chewing can also be difficult and often people are limited as to what they can eat. Statistics show that conventional dentures are only able to provide an average of 20% chewing efficiency. With dental implants, your chewing efficiency can be increased to around 90%.

Implants act as anchors to support dentures and separate them from the gums. The dentures are affixed to the implants and become a permanent, more natural feeling part of your mouth.

Some of the benefits of implant-supported dentures are:

Less gum discomfort and irritation
No need for denture adhesives
Increased comfort and stability
Increased chewing efficiency
A more natural look and feel
Prevents dentures from slipping out of place
Restores teeth functionality and the ability to eat and chew normally
The option to have an open palate allows for more natural tongue placement

What types of implant-supported dentures are available?

Traditional implant-supported dentures snap in and out for easy cleaning and convenience.

Implant-retained dentures cannot be removed and act like natural teeth.

"Some find traditional dentures unstable or develop sore spots from their dentures. Implant-supported dentures can give them serious relief because of their enhanced stability."
– Dr. Pliev

If you are comfortable with your current denture but want added stability, we offer mini implants that can be added to your current denture. This option allows you to get the mini implants placed and have your denture modified in one visit.

If you are a current user of traditional dentures and would like to learn about implant-supported dentures, contact K&K Dental Studio today.

At K&K Dental Studio in Ottawa, both Dr. Plieva and Dr. Pliev are very happy to answer any questions you may have concerning the benefits of dental implants in supporting and securing your dentures.

Bone Grafting

Here in Ottawa, Dr. Plieva and Dr. Pliev offer dental implants as they are an amazing treatment for replacing missing teeth. However, the placement of dental implants requires careful evaluation and consideration with respect to the bone where the implant is placed.

A dental implant is placed into the jawbone and is used as an anchor on top of which a crown (tooth) is placed. When the implant is placed, the goal is to ensure that it is completely stable within the bone, so that it is strong enough to support the tooth on top of it. Great care must be taken to ensure there is enough bone around the implant as this provides the dental implant with its strength and stability. So, when placing a dental implant it is extremely important to ensure there is sufficient volume of bone around it in height, width, and depth.

As a general guideline, at least 1 millimeter of bone is required around a dental implant. More space is required when the implant is next to a tooth or another implant (2 and 3 millimeters respectively). If there is not enough bone to completely envelop the implant, a bone graft will be required. When evaluating the height of bone, there should simply be enough bone that the implant will be completely submerged. When placing implants in the upper jaw, there may not be enough room vertically, and a sinus lift may be required to rebuild bone.

What is a bone graft?

A bone graft is the addition of bone, or bone-like material, in an effort to increase the volume of bone in the jaw. Typically, the bone is placed and heals before the implant can be placed. The healing period can vary, depending on the type of bone used. There are many types of bone grafts, and the type of bone graft that will be chosen will depend on the situation, and the amount of bone required.

Depending on the situation, bone grafts may be placed at the same time as an implant, or before the implant. While it is more convenient to place the implant and graft at the same time (thus saving treatment time), sometimes the clinical situation does not allow it. If the bone graft must be placed before the implant is put in, it is very important to follow the timelines set out for treatment where sufficient healing, but minimal resorption has occurred.

If you have any questions about bone grafts, speak with Dr. Plieva and Dr. Pliev at K&K Dental Studio today!

Connective Tissue Grafting

Dr. Plieva and Dr. Pliev utilize connective tissue grafts for those patients that need to protect their teeth from the damaging effects of gum disease or those patients seeking to improve the appearance of their smile. Connective tissue grafts is a form of gum surgery, but don't panic, gum surgery sounds much worse than it is.

Gum recession is the process in which the tissue that surrounds the teeth pulls away from your tooth, exposing more of the tooth or the tooth's root. This can cause damage to supporting bone. Gum recession is a common dental problem affecting up to 12% of adults and often goes unnoticed until it becomes more severe.

Many people don't even notice that their gums have receded because it is a gradual process. However, over time, an exposed tooth root can not only look ugly but can cause tooth sensitivity, especially when eating cold or hot foods. Eventually, gum recession, if not treated, can cause tooth loss. To repair the damage and prevent further dental problems, Dr. Plieva and Dr. Pliev may perform a connective tissue graft. A connective tissue graft is the most common method used to treat root exposure. During the procedure, a minute amount of tissue from somewhere else in your mouth is removed and transferred to the gum tissue surrounding the exposed root of your affected tooth.

If you have any questions about this procedure, speak with Dr. Pliev or Dr. Plieva when you visit our K&K Dental Studio office here in Ottawa.