Nothing is more frustrating or uncomfortable than a loose-fitting complete denture. There is no other dental prosthesis that the placement of dental implants can enhance. Dental implants improve the support, retention, and stability of a full or complete denture.
Implant Retained Dentures, implant-supported partial or full dentures stabilize the removable denture in place, reducing the slip and movement when speaking or eating.
The concept of implant-supported over-dentures is not new. Over-dentures originally were used with remaining tooth roots sticking up through the gum to stabilize and retain the denture. Retaining the tooth roots also helps to preserve the jaw bone.
When a tooth or teeth are lost, bone loss also occurs. Over time a toothless jaw battered by a denture has a substantial bone loss. Dental implants, like teeth, conserve jawbone. If possible, it is advised that dental implants be placed as soon as possible to avoid bone loss.
Dental implants are artificial teeth roots made from titanium screws placed in the upper or lower jaw that stabilize the removable denture. Depending on the implants’ number and location, the denture can be completely retained, supported, and stabilized by the implants. During an implant procedure, 4 implants can be placed in the upper jaw that could eliminate the palate of a full-denture. Two implants in the lower would make a lower full denture more stable and retentive.
Connecting two or more implants with a bar adds more stability, resulting in greater chewing efficiency.
Dozens of clips, snaps, magnets, and bars help in improving the comfort of full dentures.
One of my favorite attachments is called the locator by (Sterngold). These are simple male/female connections that provide tremendous retentive and stability to a full or complete denture. The locators are easily maintained.
One-piece mini-implants can be used as a less expensive option to stabilize a moving denture. The surgical procedure of these mini-implants can be done with minimal 3d scanner cone conservative techniques.
Conservative surgical and prosthetic treatments should always be considered. A thorough exam both clinically and radiographically should be performed. A cat-scan x-ray of the jaw could be necessary to determine the quantity and quality of the bone. Using dental implant imaging software (Simplant), the exact location, size, and the number of implants can be placed. Using this software, a surgical stencil can be fabricated to enable a guide that creates a minimally invasive procedure and reduces surgical time.
Future planning can also be considered. Two implants properly placed to support a denture today could augment future implants should a patient desire a fixed dental bridge at a future date.
In conclusion, implant over-dentures advantages are improved stability, retention chewing, support, esthetics, speech, and comfort.
To learn more about Dental Implants and Implant Retained Dentures, visit the Manhattan Dentist online.
Manhattan Dentist, David Binder, DDS,
551 5th Avenue, Suite 1114, New York, NY 10176
Tel: (212) 867-2730
https://www.ManhattanNYDentist.com