Implant Retained Dentures

Typical dentures are extremely bulky and can be somewhat uncomfortable. For example, the back of a standard upper denture ends just behind the hard bone in the roof of the mouth and extend into the soft tissues of the throat.  This area can be very sensitive and prone to causing a gagging reflex. Upper dentures are fabricated this way to maximize surface area and create a suction effect in order to achieve adequate retention and stability.  The denture can be reduced; however, the more it is reduced from the throat, the less stable and retentive it will be!

So what is the alternative? Implant retained dentures! Implant retained dentures can provide and incredible amount of retention while significantly reducing the bulk of the denture. In addition, implants are highly effective in retaining an otherwise non retentive and unbearably uncomfortable denture.  An implant is a titanium threaded post that is surgically placed into a hole created in the jaw to approximate the position of teeth.  After a period of time, the titanium will fuse with the bone, and the implant is then uncovered at the level of the gum tissues, and at that time can be used to support a denture in a number of different ways that will be custom to your specific case.

As little as 2 implants can maintain stability of a lower denture which would not otherwise be tolerated by that patient.  In this case the denture would snap into place and is removable. As few as 4 implants can be used to semi-permanently retain a denture. This type of "screw retained" denture would need to be removed once a year for maintenance.  Although the dentures that fit over implants are considerably more expensive than standard dentures, they offer the added advantage of allowing upper dentures to be built in the shape of an arch instead of having to cover the entire palate. This is of special significance to people who otherwise cannot wear full dentures because they make them gag or can just never get used to the bulkiness and limited function of a traditional denture. 

Implant retained dentures prove to be a wonderful investment especially for people who cannot wear lower dentures. As an edentulous (toothless) person ages, the jaw bone continues to deteriorate due to lack of stimulation of natural teeth. As a matter of fact, the lower jaw ridge frequently disappears completely.  This results in practically no appreciable functionality of the lower denture.  Eventually these people frequently find that they cannot wear a lower denture at all.  The addition of two implants in the front of the lower jaw can make it possible to retain a lower denture which would otherwise be impossible for the patient to tolerate. In addition, the implants allow for the preservation of the surrounding bone, much like natural teeth and tooth roots.

Dental implants will allow you to once again speak and eat with confidence and in comfort! They are secure and offer freedom from the annoying clicks and wobbles of dentures. They'll give you the freedom to not have to worry about misplacing your uncomfortable dentures and get rid of messy pastes and glues.

Mini implant retained dentures

Mini implants are becoming very popular and due to their effectiveness and minimally invasive surgical placement.  In contrast, to the standard implants discussed above, there is no three to six month waiting period before mini implants can be used to support the denture.   Mini implants can generally be placed in the lower jaw without an incision in the gum tissues.  The only anesthesia used is an injection at the site of each implant, in most cases.

The current lower denture can even be used by retro-fitting it directly over the newly placed implants, and immediately after, the patient can function on the denture.  Furthermore, because the titanium alloy implants are so narrow, patients who have not been able to place implants in the past due to lack of bone using standard implants can now generally be fitted with mini implants.

The entire procedure (placing the implants and retrofitting the old denture so that it is supported by the newly placed mini implants) can be completed in just one appointment.  It is generally painless, and produces very minimal post operative discomfort.  Finally, due to the ease of insertion, this procedure is much less expensive than standard implants for retaining lower dentures.

Contact Dr. Josh Maxwell today for a consultation.