Implant Dentures Overdentures

Implant supported dentures or implant dentures are dentures that attach to implants for a more secure function in the mouth. Many patients who are missing all of their teeth on the top, bottom, or both choose implant supported dentures, also known as overdentures. 

While traditional dentures are a good option for many patients, there are many benefits of implant dentures or overdentures that go far beyond regular dentures. For patients who are having difficulty chewing, speaking, or who are lacking confidence that their dentures will stay in place implant-supported dentures, implant dentures, or overdentures can help.

When patients are missing teeth, over time, their jawbone and gums begin to recede because the tooth’s root is no longer being supported. This can cause dentures to become loose and not fit as well over time. However, dental implants protect against this by both preserving the patient’s bone and gums and also providing a more secure fit for dentures.

Implants of regular size may be placed and an Implant Denture may be used. The bone loss is still minimal in both the width and height so the jaw can accept a normal implant and a bridge or overdenture can be attached easily within 0-6 months depending on how your medical condition is and what medications you take.

Implants can still be placed and you can have an implant denture. There are 22 risk factors that must be addressed; these are sorted out in a full diagnostic work up after the initial consult. Sometimes implants can be placed without any simultaneous bone grafting procedures. However, you may need a narrower diameter implant for your implant denture or overdenture. The narrower implants do not work for every patient, though. Some patients may need advanced bone grafting to ensure wide enough implants are placed to support the force you create with your jaw. We can do these procedures at our office. The options can depend on your desire for implant denture performance. You are able to generate different forces with different configurations. Regardless of your desire, what is vital is long term success- it is critical to have enough bone around the implant. Time range can go from 0-24 months for completion.

Five different techniques are available for dealing with this advanced bone loss to get you implant dentures. Typically, individuals with this level of bone loss experience pain on a daily basis from their denture moving on top of what we call the mental nerve. They also have general pain from the denture moving around which is called a “support” problem. This is different than a “retention” problem which typically plagues the First, Second, and Third stage of bone loss denture wearer. The problem the above jaw experiences is the most painful and debilitating of all the stage losses of bone. Time range can go from 6-36 months. Make sure you like your doctor because you will spend a lot of time with them. Many times these are individuals that were going to fix the problem but then they mentioned the problem to a family or friend who has never experienced this horrible situation and that individual gave them bad advice and told them not to do it. When someone doesn’t know how much pain you are in, it is almost impossible for them to relate. You can be pain free with implant dentures even with Stage 3 bone loss.