Brunswick County · Since 1987
Implant-Supported Dentures in Oak Island, 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
The basics of 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 ›
What we see from Oak Island
Oak Island holds about 8,400 year-round residents and swells toward 50,000 in July, with roughly a third of the permanent population over 65.
Year-round residents in a seasonal town often go years between visits because the summer is too busy and the winter feels like the wrong time to start. Restorative work planned in the off-season avoids both problems.
Oak Island's year-round population of around 8,400 swells toward 50,000 in July, and the practical dental needs of those two populations are completely different.
It is the longest regular drive in our service area, so Oak Island treatment plans are built around minimizing the number of visits.
A third of the permanent population is over 65, which is why so much of what we do here is restorative rather than preventive.
We see patients from across Oak Island and the surrounding area, including the Oak Island Lighthouse, Fort Caswell, Ocean Crest Pier and the 28465 ZIP code.
Brunswick County is the fastest-growing county in North Carolina and the sixth fastest in the country, up about a quarter since 2020, and 35 percent of residents are 65 or older. That combination, rapid in-migration and an older population, is why so much of our Brunswick caseload is restorative.
Start large treatment in the autumn. The planning and provisional phases run through the quiet months and the finished result is in place before the season picks up.
It is the longest drive in our service area, so we consolidate: consults, records and treatment planned to minimize the number of trips.
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
What the process looks like
- 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.
If you are away for part of the year, tell us your dates at the start and we will build the schedule around them.
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.
If your income is seasonal, say so at the consultation. We can time treatment phases to the part of the year that suits your cash flow.
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
How many implants do I need?
Two is the standard for a lower denture. An upper usually needs four because the bone is softer.
Will I still need adhesive?
No. The attachments hold the denture in place.
How far is your office from Oak Island?
About 39 miles, or roughly 55 minutes via NC-211 to US-17 North, then US-74/76 over the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge. We are at 1301 Physicians Dr in Wilmington, with parking at the door.
Do you see patients from Oak Island?
Regularly. Oak Island is part of our core service area in Brunswick County, and it is the longest drive in our service area, so we consolidate: consults, records and treatment planned to minimize the number of trips.
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 · Oak Island, 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.
