Tired of dentures that slip and slide?
If you’ve lost several teeth, you might be looking for a solution that feels more secure than traditional dentures. One option to consider is implant-supported overdentures. They combine the stability of dental implants with the coverage of dentures.
Unlike regular dentures, which rest on your gums, implant-supported overdentures attach to small titanium posts placed in your jaw. This gives you a more stable fit and helps you chew, speak, and smile with confidence.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through what implant-supported overdentures are, how they work, and what to expect if you’re thinking about getting them. Whether you’re just starting your research or ready to talk to your dentist, this information can help you feel more informed.
Key Takeaways
- Implant-supported dentures are held in place by small metal posts in your jaw, making them more stable than regular dentures.
- Because they’re secure, you can chew food better and talk more clearly without worrying about them slipping.
- Implant dentures can be more comfy and help keep your jawbone from shrinking over time.
- There are two main kinds: one that clips to a metal bar and another that snaps onto ball-shaped parts on the implants.
- Getting them involves a few steps, including placing the implants, letting them heal, and then getting your custom denture made.
What are Implant-Supported Overdentures?
Implant-supported overdentures are a type of denture that attaches to dental implants. Dental implants are like artificial tooth roots placed in your jawbone. These implants help keep your dentures secure.
Traditional dentures rest on your gums. They can sometimes feel loose and move around when you eat or talk. Implant-supported overdentures are different because they snap onto the implants. This makes them much more stable.
There are a few main parts to implant-supported overdentures:
- Dental Implants: These are small titanium posts that are surgically placed in your jawbone. Over time, the bone grows around them, making them very strong.
- Abutments: These are connectors that attach to the dental implants. They stick out above the gum line. The overdenture will connect to these abutments.
- Overdenture: This looks like a regular denture but has special attachments on the bottom. These attachments connect to the abutments on the implants, holding the denture firmly in place.
Benefits of Implant-Supported Overdentures
Choosing implant-supported overdentures can make a big difference in your daily life. They offer many advantages over traditional dentures.
Increased Stability and Retention
Think of dental implants as anchors for your dentures. They are fixed in your jawbone, giving your overdenture a strong base. This means your dentures will not slip or move when you talk or eat. You can feel secure that it will stay in place.
Improved Chewing Ability
Because implant-supported overdentures are stable, you can chew your food better. Traditional dentures can sometimes make it hard to eat certain foods – like apples, corn on the cob, or crusty bread.. With the added support of implants, you can enjoy a wider variety of foods with more comfort and ease.
Enhanced Comfort
Traditional dentures can rub against your gums, causing soreness. Implant-supported overdentures reduce this problem. They don’t rely as much on your gums for support. This can lead to less irritation and more comfort throughout the day. You also won’t need to use denture adhesives to keep them in place.
Bone Preservation
When your teeth are lost, your jawbone in that area can shrink. Dental implants help prevent this bone loss by stimulating the jawbone, similar to how natural tooth roots work. Preserving your bone is important for the long-term shape of your face. It helps prevent that sunken look that can happen with bone loss.
Improved Speech
It is hard to speak properly when you have loose dentures. They might click or shift when you talk. Because implant-supported overdentures stay in place, they allow for clearer and more natural speech. You won’t need to worry about clicking noises or dentures moving mid-sentence.
Increased Confidence
Knowing that your dentures are secure and look natural can boost your self-esteem. You may feel more comfortable speaking, smiling, laughing, and engaging in social situations. This can lead to a big improvement in your overall confidence.
Types of Implant-Supported Overdentures
There are different ways that implant-supported overdentures can attach to the implants. The two main types are bar-retained and ball-retained overdentures.
Bar-Retained Overdentures
With bar-retained overdentures, a metal bar is attached to two or more dental implants that have been placed in your jawbone. This bar runs along the curve of your jaw. The overdenture has clips or attachments on the underside that grip onto this bar. The bar helps to stabilize the denture and distribute the biting forces evenly across the implants. This type of overdenture is very stable.
Ball-Retained Overdentures
Ball-retained overdentures use ball-shaped abutments that are attached to the dental implants. The overdenture has sockets or attachments that fit over these ball abutments. Think of it like snaps. Usually, each implant has a ball abutment, and the denture snaps onto these balls. This type of overdenture is also quite stable and is often easier for patients to remove and clean compared to bar-retained dentures.
The Implant-Supported Overdenture Procedure
If you choose to get implant-supported overdentures at New Leaf Rohnert Park, you can expect a careful and step-by-step process. Our goal is to provide you with a comfortable and successful experience. Here are the general steps involved in getting your new smile.
Thorough Examination and Treatment Planning
Before starting, we will give you a complete dental exam. This helps us see if implant-supported overdentures are the right choice for you. We will look at your gums and jawbone. We may also take X-rays or scans. This careful planning helps ensure the best results.
Implant Placement
The next step is placing the dental implants. This is a surgical procedure. We will place small titanium posts into your jawbone. We will give you local anesthesia to keep you comfortable during this time.
After placing the implants, a healing period will occur. This is called osseointegration. Osseointegration is when your jawbone grows around the implants, making them a strong and stable part of your mouth. This process can take several months.
Abutment Placement
Once your implants have healed, the abutments are placed. Abutments are connectors that attach to the implants. They stick out above your gum line. These are what your overdenture will connect to. Sometimes, we can place the abutments at the same time as the implants.
Denture Fabrication
While your implants are healing or after we place the abutments, we will start making your custom overdenture. We will take impressions of your mouth. These impressions will create a model of your gums and implants. A dental lab will then use this model to make your overdenture. It will be designed to fit your mouth perfectly and attach securely to the abutments.
Denture Placement and Adjustment
When your overdenture is ready, you will come back to our office for the final fitting. We will place the overdenture onto the abutments and check the fit. We will make any necessary adjustments to ensure it is comfortable and secure. We will also teach you how to take it in and out and how to care for it.
Caring for Implant-Supported Overdentures
Taking good care of your implant-supported overdentures is important. Proper care will help them last longer and keep your mouth healthy. Here are some tips on how to care for your new dentures.
Cleaning the Denture
You need to remove your overdenture every day to clean it. Gently brush all surfaces of the denture with a soft toothbrush and a non-abrasive denture cleaner. Regular toothpaste can be too harsh and scratch the denture. Rinse the denture well with water after cleaning. You should also soak your denture in a denture-cleaning solution overnight, or as directed by our team at New Leaf Rohnert Park. Remember to rinse it again before putting it back in your mouth.
Cleaning the Implants and Abutments
Even though you don’t have natural teeth, it’s still important to keep your gums, implants, and abutments clean. Use a soft toothbrush or a special interdental brush to gently clean around each implant and abutment. You can also use a water flosser to help remove food particles and plaque from these areas. Keeping these areas clean helps prevent gum problems.
Regular Dental Checkups
It is very important to come for your regular checkups. We need to see you to check the fit and stability of your overdenture and the health of your gums and implants. Regular visits allow us to catch any potential problems early and make sure your overdentures are working well for you.
Oral Hygiene
Besides cleaning your denture and implants, remember to keep the rest of your mouth clean. Brush your tongue and the roof of your mouth with a soft toothbrush. If you have any remaining natural teeth, brush them carefully with fluoride toothpaste. Good overall oral hygiene contributes to a healthy mouth and helps your implant-supported overdentures function properly.
Candidacy and Considerations
Implant-supported overdentures are a great option for many people, but not everyone. There are a few things we need to consider to determine if they are right for you.
Jawbone Density
For dental implants to be successful, you need to have enough bone in your jaw to support them. If you have lost a lot of bone, it may not be strong enough to hold the implants. In some cases, bone grafting procedures can be done to build up the bone before implants are placed.
Overall Health
Your general health also plays a role in whether implant-supported overdentures are a good choice. Certain medical conditions, like uncontrolled diabetes or some autoimmune diseases, can affect how well your body heals after surgery and how successful the implants will be. We will discuss your medical history with you to make sure the implant surgery is safe for you.
Cost
The cost of implant-supported overdentures is something to consider. It is generally more than traditional dentures because it involves surgery for the placement of the dental implants. However, many people find the long-term benefits, like increased stability and comfort, to be worth the investment. At New Leaf Rohnert Park, we can discuss the cost of the procedure and any financing options that may be available to help make this treatment more accessible.
Alternatives to Implant-Supported Overdentures
If implant-supported overdentures are not the right option for you, there are other ways to replace missing teeth:
- Traditional Dentures: These are removable appliances that rest on your gums. They are a less expensive option, but can be less stable than implant-supported dentures.
- Dental Implants (Full Arch): This involves placing several dental implants in the jaw to support a full set of artificial teeth that are permanently fixed in place. This offers the most stability but can be more costly.
- Dental Bridges: A bridge is used to replace one or more missing teeth by anchoring artificial teeth to the natural teeth on either side of the gap. Bridges are not suitable for replacing all teeth.
Embrace a More Confident Smile with Implant-Supported Overdentures
Dealing with loose or uncomfortable dentures can affect your daily life, from enjoying meals to speaking with confidence. Implant-supported overdentures offer a stable and long-lasting solution, providing numerous benefits like improved chewing ability, enhanced comfort, and better bone preservation.
At New Leaf Rohnert Park, we are dedicated to helping you achieve a secure and natural-feeling smile through overdentures.
Are you ready to experience the difference that implant-supported overdentures can make? Take the first step towards a more confident and comfortable future.
Request an appointment online today!
You can also call us at (707) 586-1549 to schedule a consultation. We can assess your individual needs and determine if implant-supported overdentures are the right solution for you.
