Moving from dentures to implants raises questions that people who still have their natural teeth never think to ask. What happens to the denture you already own? Do you have enough bone after years without teeth? Will you go without teeth during treatment? Below are eight questions denture wearers commonly bring to a first consultation, followed by five northern Utah practices to consider, beginning with Stubbs Dental, which focuses on full-arch implant treatment.
What do denture wearers want to know before switching?
1. Do I have enough bone after years without teeth?
Possibly, and a 3D scan is the only way to know. Long-term denture wearers usually have some bone loss, but angled implants can often work with what remains. When the upper jaw has very little bone, zygomatic implants, which anchor in the cheekbone, or bone grafting may be options.
2. Can my current denture be converted to snap onto implants?
Sometimes. If your denture fits well and is in good condition, a dentist may be able to add attachments so it clicks onto two to four implants, creating an overdenture. Older or worn dentures usually need to be replaced, and a fixed full-arch bridge is always made new.
3. Will I go without teeth during treatment?
Usually not. With immediate loading, teeth are attached to the implants on the day of surgery or the next day. In cases where implants need to heal first, many patients keep wearing a modified version of their denture during that time.
4. Should I choose an overdenture or a fixed bridge?
It depends on your priorities. An overdenture uses fewer implants, costs less, and comes out nightly for cleaning. A fixed bridge uses four or more implants, stays in permanently, and leaves the roof of the mouth uncovered. Your bone volume and budget will narrow the choice.
5. Do I need to treat both jaws at once?
No. Many people start with the arch that bothers them most, which is often the lower jaw because lower dentures tend to be less stable. An implant-supported lower arch can work opposite a conventional upper denture, and the other arch can be treated later.
6. Will implants feel strange after wearing dentures?
They will feel different at first, mostly in a good way. Teeth no longer move when you chew, and with a fixed bridge the palate is open, which changes how food feels and tastes. Most people adjust to the new shape within a few weeks, though speech may take a little practice.
7. How does daily care change?
With a fixed bridge, you stop removing and soaking teeth at night. Instead you brush in place and use a water flosser under the bridge. Overdentures still come out for cleaning, along with brushing around the implant attachments.
8. What happens to my old denture?
Keep it unless your dentist advises otherwise. It can serve as a backup in some situations, and its shape can help guide the design of your new teeth.
Which northern Utah practices can answer these questions in person?
- Stubbs Dental
- Dr. Greg A. Roberts Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
- Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons of Utah
- Copper Hills Periodontics & Dental Implants
- Implant & Restorative Dental Specialists
1. Stubbs Dental
Stubbs Dental Implant Center opened in 2014 under Dr. David Stubbs, DDS. He earned his degree at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry and received post-graduate clinical training as a U.S. Navy officer. The practice focuses on fixed full-arch replacement with All-on-X, a common next step for people moving on from dentures.
For denture wearers unsure about their bone, consultations include 3D CBCT imaging, and the practice offers both bone grafting and zygomatic implants. A board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon is on the team, eligible patients may receive final zirconia teeth in as little as 24 hours, and offices are located in Layton, Bountiful, Murray, and Lehi.
2. Dr. Greg A. Roberts Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery
An oral and maxillofacial surgery office in Murray.
3. Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons of Utah
An oral surgery practice with an office in Bountiful.
4. Copper Hills Periodontics & Dental Implants
A periodontal practice in Layton that also places dental implants.
5. Implant & Restorative Dental Specialists
A Layton practice offering implant and restorative dentistry.
How should you prepare for your consultation?
Years of denture wear shape what is possible, so the most useful answers come from your own scan rather than general rules. Bring your current denture to the visit, along with a list of medications and the questions above. A clear conversation about bone, timeline, and which type of implant teeth fits your life is the best way to decide whether the switch is right for you.
