Patient video
Welcoming and Wonderful Practice
A patient shares the welcoming atmosphere and positive experience they found at our Port Dover office.
★★★★★
Port Dover Family Dentistry
Implant-Supported Dentures in Hillcrest
Implants can help a denture stay put while you eat and talk. Hillcrest patients can ask our Port Dover team whether this more stable option suits their mouth.
New patients welcomeCDCP accepted
Let’s get you smiling
Book an appointment
Tell us how we can help. Our team will follow up to confirm a time.
Hillcrest patients are seen at our Port Dover office
Browse every service for HillcrestMore stability for dentures
Anchoring a denture to implants can change how it feels to wear.
Traditional dentures rest on the gums and rely on suction, muscle control and sometimes adhesive to stay in place. For many people, especially with lower dentures, that can mean movement while eating or speaking. Implant-supported dentures attach to a small number of implants placed in the jaw, which can make the denture far more secure and reduce the rubbing that causes sore spots.
Hillcrest residents who struggle with loose dentures, or who are about to lose their remaining teeth, can explore this option at our Port Dover office. The dentist will assess your bone and health and explain the designs, stages and long-term commitment involved, so you can decide whether the change is worthwhile for you.
Is it suitable?
An assessment shows whether implants can support a denture.
Bone, gums and general health
Implants need enough healthy bone to anchor them securely. After teeth are lost, the jawbone gradually shrinks, so people who have worn dentures for many years may have less bone available. X-rays or 3D imaging help measure it. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes and some medications can affect healing, so the dentist will review your medical history carefully before recommending treatment.
What you hope to change
Think about what bothers you most with your current denture, whether it is chewing certain foods, the denture moving when you talk, sore gums or reliance on adhesive. These priorities help the dentist suggest an appropriate design. Implant support often improves stability, but it is still a denture and will feel different from natural teeth in some ways.
Design options
Implant dentures come in removable and fixed forms.
Removable snap-on dentures
A removable implant-supported denture clips onto attachments on two or more implants. It is taken out daily for cleaning and is often recommended for lower dentures, where stability tends to be the biggest challenge. The attachments wear over time and need periodic replacement, which the dentist will explain as part of the long-term care plan.
Fixed implant bridges
A fixed implant bridge, sometimes called a hybrid, is secured to several implants and can only be removed by the dentist. It may feel more like natural teeth but usually involves more implants, higher cost and careful cleaning beneath the bridge. The dentist will compare the options so you can weigh comfort, maintenance and budget together.
Treatment stages
Treatment unfolds over several months.
Placing the implants
Implants are placed in the jaw under local anaesthetic, sometimes with sedation, and may be done by the dentist or a specialist. If teeth need removing first, that may happen at the same time or earlier. During healing, you may wear your existing denture, adjusted to avoid pressure on the implant sites, or a temporary denture designed for this phase.
Connecting the denture
Once the implants have bonded with the bone, attachments are placed and the denture is either modified or made new to connect to them. The dentist checks fit, bite and how easily you can insert and remove it. Several follow-up visits are common as you adjust, and small changes can usually be made to improve comfort.
Living with it
Implants and dentures both need daily attention.
Cleaning the denture and implants
Remove a snap-on denture each day to clean it and brush around the implant attachments with a soft brush. Food can collect around the abutments, and plaque can inflame the surrounding gum. The hygienist can show you tools such as end-tuft brushes or water flossers that make cleaning easier, especially if dexterity is limited or you have arthritis.
Ongoing maintenance
Attachments and clips wear and may need replacing to keep the denture secure. The denture base may also need relining as the gums change. Regular checkups allow the dentist to examine the implants, gums and denture together. Contact the office if the denture becomes loose, an implant feels sore or the gum around it bleeds.
Planning your appointment
Asking about implant support from Hillcrest.
Call our Port Dover office to arrange a consultation. Let the team know how long you have worn dentures, what problems you experience and any medical conditions, so the dentist can plan an appropriate assessment.
Bring your current denture to the appointment. It can sometimes be adapted, and it helps the dentist understand what has and has not worked for you.
Port Dover Family Dentistry
697 Norfolk County Hwy 6, Unit 2, Port Dover, ON N0A 1N2519-583-2929Directions to our office (opens in a new tab)Office hours & contact detailsBefore you book
Implant denture questions
Have a question about your situation? Our team can help you plan a visit.
How many implants does a denture need?
It depends on the jaw, bone volume and the type of denture. A lower snap-on denture may use as few as two implants, while fixed options usually need more. The dentist will recommend a number based on imaging and your goals.
Can my existing denture be used?
Sometimes an existing denture in good condition can be modified to connect to implants. In other cases a new denture provides a better result. The dentist will examine your current one and explain which approach is likely to work best.
Will I be without teeth during treatment?
Most people continue wearing a denture during healing, either their own adjusted denture or a temporary one. The dentist will plan the stages so you are not left without teeth for long, though the fit may feel different while implants heal.
Is the surgery painful?
Implant placement is done under local anaesthetic, and sedation may be discussed. Afterwards, swelling and tenderness are common for a few days and can usually be managed with recommended pain relief. The dentist will explain aftercare in detail.
Do implant-supported dentures need replacing?
The implants often last many years, but the denture teeth, base and attachments wear over time. Clips may need replacing periodically and the denture may need relining or remaking eventually. Regular reviews help plan for these changes.
Compare denture and implant options
Cosmetic Dentistry →Complete and Partial Dentures →
Missing several teeth or all of them? Hillcrest patients can compare complete and partial dentures at our Port Dover office and plan fittings and adjustments.
Dental Implants →
Implants replace missing teeth with a fixture placed in the jawbone. Hillcrest patients can discuss suitability, timelines and care at our Port Dover office.