Dentures are removal dental appliances with artifical teeth. There are basically 3 types :

1. Partial dentures : fits around your remaining, healthy teeth. Partial dentures usually have artificial teeth and gum, connected by a metal framework that are usually held in place by clasps to natural teeth.
2. Complete dentures : can be used to all upper teeth, all lower teeth or both. Complete dentures consist of artificial teeth and gums and rest directly on your gums.
3. Overdentures : fit over your remaining teeth or dental implants. Teeth or implants give the denture stability, so that it is less likely to shift and move in mouth. To fit an ovedenture, natural teeth usually need to be reshaped. Or dental implants are placed and the overdentures sits on the implants.

They may be made from plastic, metal or a combination of both plastic and metal.

Pros of dentures

• improves appearance in replacing missing gaps
• adds support for facial structures
• helps with chewing and eating food relative to having missing gaps
• normally a more economical option to dental implants or dental bridges

Cons of dentures

• need to be removed daily for cleaning and should not be worn during sleep
• may also move during eating (especially for complete denture) because they rest on a smaller surface of bone
• require proper care and some maintenance to prevent mouth problems, sores, infections and bad breath
• upper plates tend to interfere with speech
• it take a while getting used to
• ill-fitting plates may cause bleeding gums
• as compared to dental implants, dentures may accelerate bone loss and that in-turns makes it more uncomfortable in later years
• will likely need to be adjusted and relined periodically and replaced approximately every 3 to 5 years

Due to numerous issues associated with dentures, dental implant supported dentures or dental implant crowns/bridge replacement teeth are increasingly done. View pros and cons of dental implants over denture.

Complete or partial dentures still can be of great benefit to people who have lost all or most of their teeth. When getting dentures, make sure you go to a qualified dentist, who is experienced or qualified in the field of prosthodontics. Cheap dentures may not be as well-fitting or may not last as long. Good yet affordable dentures, which do not compromise on quality are the best choice for most people.

Related Pages:

• Dental Bridges
• Dental Implants
• Dental Implants versus Bridge
• Dental Implants versus Denture

Implant-supported overdentures or implant dentures are a type of full overdenture that is supported by or attached to dental implants. A regular denture that rests on the gums that tends to fit less firmly. An implant-supported denture has special attachments that snap onto attachments on the implants providing better retention to the overdentures. An implant supported denture may be done in either the upper or lower jaw.    

Benefits of Implant Supported Dentures

• an implant-supported denture is more stable than a regular denture
• enables individuals to speak more easily
• less worry that denture may become loose or fall out of mouth
• able to eat more types of foods but still avoid chewing hard or sticky foods as they can damage the denture
• feels more natural than a regular denture because the denture no longer covers the roof of your mouth
• removable prosthesis, treatment may be based on the patient’s existing conventional denture if wear, function and esthetics permit for certain cases
• dental implant dentures are a less expensive alternative relative to full fixed bridges

Types of Implant Supported Overdentures

There are two types of implant-supported dentures:

1. Bar-retained : A thin metal bar that follows the curve of your jaw is attached to two to five implants that have been placed in your jawbone. Clips or other types of attachments are fitted to the bar the denture, or to both. The denture fits over the bar and is securely clipped into place by the attachments
2. Ball-retained : Each implant that is embedded in jawbone holds a metal stud attachment that fits into another attachment on the overdenture. In most cases, the attachments on the implants are ball-shaped that fit into sockets on the overdenture but may be reversed in certain cases.

In both cases, the overdenture is normally made of an acrylic base that will look like gums, with porcelain or acrylic teeth that look like natural teeth. Bar-retained dentures require at least three implants. Ball-retained dentures need at least two.

Implant Supported Overdentures Procedures

The implant are normally are placed in at the front of the jawbone where tends to be more bone in the front of the jaw than in the back, even if teeth have been missing for some time. The front jaw does not have as many nerves or other structures that could interfere with the placement of implants. The time frame to complete the implant supported dentures will depends on many factors. Aconventional dental implants procedure is normally followed for implant supported overdentures.

Dental Implants Procedure 1

Diagnosis and planning to determinine if implant-suported overdentures are suited for case.  

Dental Implants Procedure 2 (If required)

If there is bone resorption, the bone grafts are done in building up the bone. For mild to moderate bone grafts, this is done during the same surgical visit when the implant post is placed. For severe bone grafts, this is done as a separate phase and left to heal for several months before proceeding to the 1st stage implant post placement.  

Dental Implants Procedure 3

The dental implant post are placed into the edentulous jaw. The dental implants are then normally left to heal for a period of time ranging from 2 months or more. During the healing period, existing full dentures may be modified or a new set of temporary full dentuers made for wear so that the patient is with teeth at all times.  

Dental Implants Procedure 4

Make final overdentures on dental implant posts. Place overdentures of ball or bar. Adjust and re-check overdentures for proper fit.

Related Pages :

• Conventional Implant
• One Day Implant
• Immediate Load Implant
• Single Tooth Implant
• Mulitple Tooth Implants
• Full arch Teeth Implants
• Full Mouth Teeth Implants