New Hanover County · Since 1987
Implant-Supported Dentures in Castle Hayne, NC
An implant-supported denture clips onto two or more implants, so it stops moving when you eat and talk. It is the middle path between a conventional denture and a fixed full arch.
- Three doctors, one location
- Sedation available
- Most major plans accepted
- Written estimates before treatment
Understanding implant-supported dentures
A lower denture resting on the gum has very little to hold on to, which is why so many people give up on theirs. Two implants in the front of the jaw, with attachments that the denture snaps onto, change that completely. An upper can be stabilized the same way, usually with four.
Full detail on implant-supported dentures ›
This treatment in Castle Hayne
Castle Hayne runs on shift work, the nuclear campus, the airport and the rail corridor, and employer dental benefits go unused every year.
Shift work makes daytime appointments difficult, and a cracked molar tends to get ignored until it abscesses. We open at 8:00 and will work with your rotation.
ILM airport sits just south of Castle Hayne, and the NC-133 run to N. 23rd Street avoids the worst of the city traffic.
GE Vernova Hitachi is the anchor employer, and shift patterns there shape how we schedule Castle Hayne appointments.
River Bluffs has added a different resident profile to what was a rural community a decade ago.
We see patients from across Castle Hayne and the surrounding area, including GE Vernova Hitachi, ILM airport, River Bluffs and the 28429 ZIP code.
New Hanover County is the built-out core of the region, growing around one percent a year, with roughly 21 percent of residents over 65 and the highest concentration of employer dental coverage in southeastern North Carolina.
We will be direct about how many days a physical job needs after surgical treatment, and we will schedule around a rotation rather than pretending it does not exist.
Early morning appointments starting at 8:00 so a cleaning does not cost you a shift.
You may be a candidate if
- A lower denture that moves, rubs or needs adhesive
- Missing all the teeth in an arch
- Wanting implant stability without the cost of a fixed full arch
- Being happy to remove the denture at night to clean it
- A current denture that fits well enough to be converted
From first visit to finished result
- Consultation and 3D scanCone beam imaging shows where the bone will take an implant.
- Implant placementUsually two implants for a lower, four for an upper, often under sedation.
- HealingA few months while the implants integrate. You wear your denture, relieved over the implant sites.
- AttachmentsThe denture is fitted with housings that snap onto the implants, either your existing one or a new one.
Afterwards
Remove and clean the denture daily, and brush around the implant attachments. The nylon inserts that give the snap wear out and are replaced every year or so; that is routine maintenance, not a failure.
Follow-up appointments are brief and we open at 8:00, so they rarely cost more than the start of a shift.
What it costs
Implant-supported dentures cost more than a conventional denture and considerably less than a fixed full arch. Many plans cover part of the denture, and some now contribute to implants. We give you a written estimate covering implants, attachments and the denture, and go through monthly financing at the consultation.
Employer dental benefits reset annually and unused balance does not carry over. If you have not used yours this year, it is worth checking what is left before December.
In their own words
Hear from Dr. Carter Lee
Dr. Lee on fixing only what needs fixing, and what it is like to hand a patient the mirror after a smile transformation.
Questions we get asked
Can my current denture be converted?
Often, if it fits well and is in good condition. We assess it at the consultation.
How many implants do I need?
Two is the standard for a lower denture. An upper usually needs four because the bone is softer.
How far is your office from Castle Hayne?
About 11 miles, or roughly 20 minutes via NC-133 South (Castle Hayne Road) to N. 23rd Street. We are at 1301 Physicians Dr in Wilmington, with parking at the door.
Do you see patients from Castle Hayne?
Regularly. Castle Hayne is part of our core service area in New Hanover County, and early morning appointments starting at 8:00 so a cleaning does not cost you a shift.
What are your hours?
Monday through Thursday, 8:00am to 5:00pm, and Friday, 8:00am to 12:00pm. Outside those hours, leave a message or use the appointment request form and we will come back to you with the first available time.
Implant-Supported Dentures · Castle Hayne, NC
You have probably been told several different things about this.
Bring the opinions you have already been given. We will look at your scan with you and say which parts we agree with.
- Three doctors, 50+ years of combined experience
- Implant surgery and restoration in one building
- Sedation available for longer appointments
- Written, phased treatment plans with costs attached
Worried it is too much work at your age? Health matters far more than the number, and we will tell you if we think a smaller plan serves you better.
Request an appointment
We reply the next business day.
Please do not include Protected Health Information. For anything urgent, call (910) 762-0958.