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

Full jaw dental implantation are done for cases where patients has no existing teeth or for cases that require the removal of all existing teeth. A combination of full arch dental teeth implants options may be done in reconstructing both arches allowing patients to have new set of teeth improving quality of life.

Dental Implantation + Overdentures

For dental implantation with dentures, the implant posts acts as anchors in retening the overdentures in place. Implant-supported overdentures retends the full dentures in place and prevents slipping and sliding during chewing and talking associated with conventional full dentures. Dental implantation with dentures are removable prosthetic options.

Dental Implantation + Dental Bridges

For dental implantation with dental bridges, the implant posts acts as new tooth roots with a fixed dental bridges over the dental implants. With this dental implant teeth option, it is simliar to having a new set of teeth on the dental implants and are fixed prosthetic options.

All-on-4 and All-on-6

All-on-4 and All-on-6 are immediate function implant tooth options simliar to having fixed acrylic teeth on the implant posts. All-on-4 and all-on-6 dental implants are graftless dental implants solutions. And suited for overseas cases requiring a new set of teeth within one trip.

Zygoma Dental Implants

Zygoma dental implant surgery are done only for the upper jaw and suited for cases with severe bone resorption or bone loss. Zygoma dental implants are very long titanium implants posts placed up into the zygoma area (or cheek bone area) allowing a new set of teeth to be built on the dental implants.

Dental Implant Surgery for Full Mouth Dental Implants

Conventional full mouth dental implants options includes :

• Dental implants with Overdenture
• Dental implants with Fixed Bridges

Smiliar to full arch dental implantation, conventional full mouth implants are done over 2 to 3 trips depending on bone conditions. If there is mild to moderate boneloss, conventional full mouth dental implants are done in 2 trips. If there is moderate and severe boneloss, then bonegrafting is done as a separate trip before the first stage implant post placement is done done in 3 trips.

Conventional full mouth dental implants procedure are established tried and tested methods with long historical success cases reports and statistics. Alternatively, immediate function dental implants procedure may also be done with:

• All-on-4 and All-on-6
• Zygoma implants

Immediate function implants are graftless solutions suited for cases with little back bone support and whereby a new set of teeth is obtained within one trip.

A commonly asked questions is on full mouth dental implants costs in Thailand. The total costs of treatment will vary based on:

• implant brand and implant range. Each implant brand may have various implant ranges with different material properties that can affect faster osseointegration with jaw bone and/or long-term durability
• whether conventional or immediate function implants technique is opted
• the number of implants required per jaw sufficient for biting load  pressure
• your chosen final prostheses on removable dentures, fixed dentures (all-on-4) or fixed full bridges
• bone condition to determine if additional bonegrafting or sinus lift is required

In general the costs of full mouth dental implants will normally entail at least 2 large x-rays, set of dental implants and medications fees. Certain dental clinics split their implant posts and implant crowns costs. So when getting a implant cost quote, be sure to ask your dentist for the total cost of full mouth dental implants that would include both implant procedural stages.

Related Pages:

• Single Tooth Implant
• Mulitple Tooth Implants
• Full arch Teeth Implants
• Full Mouth Teeth Implants