Implant Retained Dentures

After losing teeth is is best for your oral health to have them replaced.  This will help regain you ability to speak, chew, and smile. Below are options for missing teeth with implants. For those that are removable we advise taking the dentures out at night to give the tissue rest.

What if I’m missing all of my lower teeth?

Locator Attached Denture

The gold standard for replacing all of the lower teeth is to have 2 implants placed and a denture that snaps into the implants.  Lower dentures do not have much retention or stability without the aid of implants as the bone in this area resorbs quickly without teeth. As with all removable replacement teeth, you still will need periodic appointments for denture adjustment.

1. Before

2. Implants Placed

3. Denture Attached

Bar Attachment Denture

Another option involves placing four to six implants, depending on your jaw size or shape, into your lower jaw. After healing is complete, the implants are connected with a custom-made support bar. Your denture will be made with special internal retention clips that attach onto the support bar, enabling the denture to snap firmly into place. This is called an “overdenture.” The advantage of this option is that it is much more stable than the first option and allows very little denture movement. Your denture is still removable for easy cleaning and maintenanceand should be removed at night to give the tissue rest.

1. Before

2. Implants Placed

3. Denture Attached

Screw Retained Denture

A third option involves placing implants in your mouth and attaching a permanent denture.  The procedure can be done on either or both arches (maxilla or mandible). It entails placing 6 implants on the top and/or 4-5 implants on the bottom. This is a great option when multiple teeth are missing or have a poor prognosis. In our practice we will have an oral surgeon or a periodontist place the implants.  Following your visit with the specialist we will insert the prosthesis on the same day.  The implants are allowed to integrate and the bone to heal over the next 6 months.  At this time we will fabricate a more permanent hybrid and spend time perfecting the esthetics. Your denture is held in place by screws or clasps that secure it to the support posts or bar. It doesn’t touch the gum tissue, which allows you to clean under the denture without removing it. This denture will replace all your missing teeth and will not be removed except at maintenance visits once a year. At this visit the hybrid is professionally cleaned, the gum tissue is examined, and new screws are inserted into the hybrid. Although cleaning under your denture without removing it is more time consuming and requires more dexterity, many patients who want a permanent denture prefer this option. We recommend using a Waterpik to fully debride underneath these prostheses.

1. Before

2. Implants Placed

3. Denture Attached

Implant Retained Upper Denture

Depending upon the number of implants to be placed, it may be possible to eliminate the need for covering the roof of your mouth with a complete denture. This option allows you to fully taste your food and gives you a better sense of its temperature. Your denture will feel more natural. You will still have a removable denture, which makes cleaning the support bar and denture much easier.

Implant benefits

• Improved confidence
• Stability during eating
• Bone and gum preservation
• Improved dental hygiene
• Superior esthetics
• Nutritional benefits