In cases where all of the teeth need to be removed and replaced with dentures, an overdenture can help stabilize the denture so it is more comfortable. Traditional dentures are often bulky and move around while eating or talking. Thus if some implants can be placed in the mouth, the denture can snap into these implants to make it much more comfortable.
Traditionally, 6 implants are needed in the upper jaw and 4 implants are needed in the lower jaw to achieve optimal results. However, your bone levels must first be addressed to determine if adequate bone is present. When teeth have been missing for a long time, the jawbone shrinks. Thus there may be a need for bone augmentation procedures or less implants will be placed.
The implants can be placed at the same time when the teeth are taken out or after the denture has been made. Your dental surgeon at PerioLife will make the best recommendation for you at your consultation.
Whether the implants are placed at the time of the dental extractions or once all of the teeth have already been removed, the dental implants must heal in the jawbone for 3 months before they can be attached to the denture. Once the implants have healed, locator abutments are placed on the implants. An additional overdenture cap is placed inside the denture which can then attach to the locator abutments on the implants. This attachment has a snap sound once it attaches. These dentures can be removed at home to clean underneath. Overdentures are a great alternative to fixed hybrid dentures and greatly increase the quality of life for denture wearers.
If you have any questions about overdentures or how to make your dentures fit better, feel free to contact us today at our Dallas, Irving, Fort Worth or Keller offices.