Replacing missing teeth with implant retained dentures
When a tooth is lost, replacing it is important for your overall oral health. Missing teeth can impact your bite, make chewing and speaking difficult, and increase stress on your remaining teeth. They can also cause jaw muscle discomfort and headaches. Plus, losing teeth often affects your smile. Here, we explore how an implant retained denture can be a reliable solution for missing teeth.
Many patients adapt well to upper dentures, but lower dentures can sometimes feel unstable and tricky to manage. If you are missing all your lower teeth, there are several implant-supported options to improve your denture’s fit and function.
Request an AppointmentWhat if I’m missing all of my lower teeth?
Ball Attachment Denture
One choice is to place two implants in your lower jaw and use a denture that snaps onto these implants. This provides more stability when chewing compared to traditional dentures. However, some denture movement is still possible, and you might experience sore spots if food, especially seeds, gets caught underneath. Like all removable dentures, regular adjustments at your appointments are necessary.
Bar Attachment Denture
Another method involves placing four to six implants, depending on your jaw’s size and shape. After healing, a custom support bar connects the implants. Your denture includes special clips that snap onto this bar, creating a snug fit. This overdenture offers much better stability and minimizes movement while still being removable for easy cleaning and care.
Screw Retained Denture
For a more permanent solution, five or more implants can be placed, and your denture is screwed onto these implants. This type of denture doesn’t rest on the gums, allowing you to clean underneath without removing it. It replaces all lower teeth and is only removed during maintenance visits. While it requires careful cleaning, many patients prefer this fixed option for its feel and function.
What If I’m Missing All Of My Upper Teeth?
Similar implant options exist for the upper jaw, though often more implants are needed due to softer bone. Depending on the number of implants, it might be possible to avoid covering the roof of your mouth with a full denture. This lets you enjoy the taste and temperature of food better, making your denture feel more natural. Your denture remains removable, which helps with cleaning the support bar and denture itself.
Implant Retained Upper Denture
With enough implants placed, you can often avoid a palate-covering denture, enhancing taste and comfort. This removable denture makes cleaning easier and feels more like natural teeth.
Benefits of Implant Retained Dentures
- Boosted confidence in your smile
- Enhanced stability while eating
- Preservation of bone and gum tissue
- Easier dental hygiene maintenance
- Improved aesthetics for a natural look
- Better nutrition through effective chewing