

What is an Implant Retained Denture?
Implants are placed in your upper or lower jaw, or both. We always recommend 4 implants on the upper and lower. The upper requires 4 implants, but the lower denture only requires 2 implants. Locators or abutments are then attached to the implants. Housings are placed inside your denture and attached to the locators. The retention can be up to 20 lbs. of pressure, which is a tremendous amount and allows you to smile and eat with confidence.
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Phil Amick
This is by far the best dental office I have ever been to. I have never been a fan of the dentist, but they don't judge. They told me what was necessary, what I needed most, and let me choose what I could afford, first. Josie lights up the office with her kind, empathetic personality and Dr. Wilkinson is gentle and he speaks in terms everyone can understand. Everyone here is kind and professional and I wouldn't trade them for the world. I hope they know how amazing they are.
Ray DeJong
This is the place to go. This dentist is the best I have been to in my long life. He was able to diagnose an issue that another dentist caused. I have a sensitive mouth and I don't even feel when he gives the shot to get work done. Wonderful experience.
Rhonda Atkins
Dr. Brian Wilkinson has been my dentist for the past 8 years. He is absolutely the very best. Caring and has always been available to help me and my husband during several emergencies. He is always thanking his staff for their work while assisting him. He is so appreciative of them and does an amazing job. Great smile too.
What are the benefits of Implant Retained Dentures?
Implant-retained dentures are widely considered to be the overall best solution for many people. They dramatically increase chewing efficiency, improve digestion (because of better chewing efficiency), increase self-confidence, and are the most affordable full-mouth implant replacement.
What is the process for Implant Retained Dentures?
You will have your consultation and exam with Dr. Wilkinson and discuss the options for the replacement of missing teeth. A CBCT/3D X-ray will be taken and if you are a candidate, a treatment plan will be presented to you.
3D Scan
If you wish to proceed, we will do an intraoral 3D scan of your mouth. This scan, when combined with the CBCT/3D X-ray, will allow Dr. Wilkinson to plan your surgery with the help of AI.
That information will be used to 3D print a surgical guide for the placement of your implant.
Placing the Implant
This will be the date of placement of the implant. You will have to be numb for this procedure. Conscious sedation is not required for this, but that is always an option for proper candidates. We also offer Nitrous Oxide for proper candidates. Once you are numb, the surgical guide will be used to place the implants. Dr. Wilkinson will take a 3D image during the procedure to double-check the guide. Once everything is verified the procedure will continue and the implants will be placed slightly below the level of bone. Pain medication and antibiotics may be necessary. You will still be able to wear your denture while you are healing.
Post-op Appointments
Post-op appointments are at 2 days, 2 weeks, and 2 months. X-rays may or may not be taken. Dr. Wilkinson does not charge for post-op or working x-rays, so there won’t be a charge for any x-rays pertaining to the implant.
4 months after placement of the implants, you will have to be numb again, and Dr. Wilkinson will likely use a laser to uncover your implants and place tissue-level healing caps.
2 weeks will be allowed for you your gum to heal and for the custom-ordered locators to arrive.
Placing Custom Locators
This is always an 8 am appointment unless you are ok going without your denture overnight. The healing caps that were previously placed will be removed, and your custom Locators will be placed. Housings will be placed on the Locators, and your denture will be adjusted to fit over those housings. An impression that “picks up” the housings will then be sent to the lab. You will be without your denture until the end of the day if you have your appointment at 8 am.
Aftercare
You return at the end of the day and pick up your Implant Retained Denture. We will need to see you in 2 days, 2 weeks, and a month at the minimum, but sometimes sore spots pop up before then, in which case, please feel free to call us.
Contact us today
to schedule an initial consultation & exam.
Your consultation will include an examination of everything from your teeth, gums and soft tissues to the shape and condition of your bite. Generally, we want to see how your whole mouth looks and functions. Before we plan your treatment we want to know everything about the health and aesthetic of your smile, and, most importantly, what you want to achieve so we can help you get there.
Cost of dental implants in Chattanooga
In Chattanooga you can expect to pay approximately $3,000 – $6,000+ for a single implant. Full-mouth reconstructive dental implants can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $60,000 and up. The cost for a full set of implant-supported dentures averages out to about $30,000. Keep in mind that no dental practice can provide you with an accurate quote over the phone. The dental implant procedure is very complex and depends on many factors that are unique from person to person.
How is the cost of dental implant surgery determined? Here are some important factors:
- The type and number of implants you need.
- The materials and supplies that are used.
- The time and experience of the dental team that will be with you every step of the way.
- The location and complexity of the surgery.
- Your recovery time. We will be here for you for as long as you need us.
Every case is different so it’s important to speak with a dentist and to have an oral exam to allow us to evaluate your unique situation and provide you with different treatment options to consider. We would be happy to provide you with a more accurate quote.
Are there other solutions for missing teeth?
Gaps caused by 1 to 3 missing teeth can sometimes be repaired with a dental bridge. A lot of missing teeth on the top or bottom or the whole mouth may be repaired with a dental prosthetic or removable dentures. When comparing the cost of dental implants to other tooth-replacement options it is important to consider the pros and cons.
Dental implants may require a steeper initial investment but they are more secure and durable than bridges or dentures. Removable dental prosthetics require different care and maintenance and you may need to have them adjusted or replaced as you age. By contrast, you take care of your dental implant like you would take care of your natural teeth, with routine oral care at home and routine dental exams. With proper care, a dental implant can last a lifetime.
Financing Options:
Your mouth is one of the most important investments that you can make in yourself. Many of our patients find it easier to break up the investment in their mouth into monthly payments. As such, we work with Care Credit and Alphaeon to help. There are options ranging from 0% interest for 6 months, to 60-month terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
This varies. Usually though, it is about the same as the extraction was. Pain and swelling are usually at their worst around day 2 but may persist into day 4. Pain may last longer than that but should be subsiding after day 4 and should begin to feel more like a bruise (bruises sometimes do develop). Everyone is different and we want everyone to know that they should always reach out to us if they are concerned. It’s better to be safe rather than sorry.
Rest and drink plenty of water. Seriously. Your body will need the rest, don’t overdo it. Most people find that cold compresses help significantly. We do recommend taking Advil Dual Action if we have not prescribed pain medication and as long as it doesn’t interfere with other medications you might be taking.
No. An extraction and bone graft with membrane would be an additional cost.
Your implant will be treated just like a natural tooth. That is to say that you should brush them twice a day and floss at least once, right before bed.
Though some dentists do that, Dr. Wilkinson has found that this is less predictable in his experience. He prefers the boring and predictable way. It is also much riskier to “load” the implants(that it what we call it when the implants are in function) using a snap-on method than a fixed-retained method, like the All-on-4…or 6 (Dr. Wilkinson jokingly says this as sometimes it does require 6 implants, but the 2 additional are not an additional cost to you).
Yes, there is a 5-year warranty on all work for non-smokers and controlled diabetics that get regular cleanings. Though we don’t offer hygiene services, we do refer to an office that does.
The point of the post-op appointments is to catch failure early so that we can remove the failing implant and graft the site to prepare for the future. Replacement of the implant is done at no charge, and there is no charge for the bone graft in case of failure due to normal circumstances. Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, and undiagnosed medical conditions that adversely affect implants are the only things that void that warranty.
One of the reasons that we can offer the prices we do is because we don’t have the administrative cost associated with running a hygiene department. We are working on a way of integrating that into our model but have no current plans to open that service up at this time.
This depends on the severity. If something feels life-threateningly wrong, please call Emergency Services immediately by dialing 911. For emergencies that aren’t life-threatening or require immediate attention, please call our emergency line at: 423-558-3934.
Relative to a regular denture, they will feel significantly more comfortable. The looseness on the lower will be eliminated, and the palate on the upper will be removed. They won’t feel like normal teeth, but they will feel significantly better than traditional dentures.
The initial appointment where we take x-rays and diagnosis and treatment plan takes about 90 minutes to 2 hours. Implant placement is scheduled for 2 hours, but usually only takes 90 minutes 4 implants, at the long end, and can be done in as little as 60 minutes thanks to digital scans, AI, and 3D printing. Post-op appointments are usually no more than 30 minutes and often take only 10 minutes. The appointment where we uncover your implants is 60 minutes. Placement of the locators and reline will take approximately 90 minutes. Delivery in the afternoon will be 20 minutes approximately and subsequent adjustment appointments should be no more than 30 minutes.
