Supporting dentures with dental implants

When someone thinks of dentures, they usually think of traditional dentures that are relatively unstable. Unfortunately, when someone is told that they need dentures, the news is usually met with despair because they associate dentures with dentures of the past. Fortunately, implant-supported dentures are a fantastic option for those who require dentures.

Dentures With Implant Support

Regular, traditional dentures rest on the patient’s gums; this is why they are generally seen as unstable. They have nothing holding them down. Unlike regular dentures, dentures supported by implants are stable because they snap into dental implants. A common misconception is that one must have some teeth in the mouth to receive dentures supported by implants. This is not the case. If there are no teeth present, the jaw will be observed. If the jaw has enough bone to support an implant, implant-supported dentures are viable and worthwhile options for patients needing dentures.
Dentures supported by implants are typically used in the lower jaw. Regular dentures in the lower jaw are usually more unstable than dentures applied to the upper jaw. Patients can opt to also have upper-jaw dentures implant-supported; however, this is not always necessary as traditional upper jaw dentures provide more stability than they do in the lower jaw. Although these dentures differ from traditional dentures, they still need to be treated with the same level of care, should be cleaned properly, and still need to be taken out at night. Patients should not sleep with their dentures in their mouths.

Types

The two kinds of implant-supported dentures available are ball-retained dentures and those retained by a bar. Both of these options are made with a base using an acrylic material resembling the look of gums. Additionally, the teeth used in the dentures are made using either porcelain or acrylics and are designed to look like the patient’s natural teeth. Ball-retained implant-supported dentures require two implants that are implanted into the jaw. Each implant has a ball-shaped metal attachment that fits into another attachment. These attachments are then snapped into the denture itself. Bar-retained implant-supported dentures are slightly different. They follow the natural curve of the jaw using a thin metal bar. Bar-retained dentures require up to five implants. Attachments like clips are added to the bar and denture. The denture is then slid over the bar and clipped into place.

The Procedure

The location of a patient’s implant-supported dentures ultimately depends on their location. Because the front of the mouth usually has more bone to work with, implants are usually placed in the front of the mouth. The process takes months to complete, with five months being the shortest time for the implants in the low jaw and seven months for implants in the upper portion of the jaw. The process can take over a year if bone grafting is needed for the implants. Usually, the process is broken up into two separate procedures on two different dates. The first procedure is more surgical and involves the actual implantation inside the implant’s jawbone. The second procedure exposes the top of the implants by breaking through the gum that has covered and healed over the implants from the first procedure. This is usually done around five months after the first procedure. While a patient is waiting for the process to be completed, they will be given temporary dentures in the meantime by their dentist.

Benefits

Dentures that are supported by implants are more stable than traditional dentures. Those with implant-supported dentures find it easier to talk and eat than they did with traditional dentures. If a patient opts for dentures with implant support in the upper jaw, an added benefit is that the dentures do not take up as much space in the upper jaw, which frees up space in the palate, again making it easier to speak and eat. While there are benefits, caution should still be taken, and hard or sticky foods should still be avoided.
Dentures that are supported by implants are worth speaking to your dentist about. Speak with your dentist today for an even more detailed explanation of the overall process and to determine whether or not you qualify for dentures with implant support.