A Concise Guide to Implant Supported Denture

What is Implant Supported Denture?

An implant-supported denture is an Overdenture that is supported by implants and is latched to implants. A denture is placed on the gums but it is not supported by implants. This type of implants denture is used on a person who does not have any jaw or teeth but have enough bone in the jaw that supports implants. An implant-supported denture has special attachments that latch onto attachments of the implants.

These dentures are made for the lower jaw and the standard dentures are less stable. Normally, a regular denture is made for the upper jaw and there it is quite stable on its own. This type of denture can be selected for both the upper and the lower jaw. The implant-supported denture needs cleaning every day. So removing the implant to clean the denture and the gum is essential.

The denturist is the best person to contact is case of any queries and difficulties faced with the implants. They will also guide the user about the usage of the implants denture.

How Does The Implant Work?

Two varieties of denture are available for implant support: ball-retained and bar-retained. The dentures in both cases are made of acrylic base and it looks like gum. Sometimes porcelain tooth are attached instead of acrylic tooth to this gum.

• Ball retained dentures – Every implant placed in the jawbone holds a metal accessory that fits into another attachment. The attachments on the implants are ball shaped and they fit into the socket on the denture. The denture holds the male attachments and implants secure the female attachments.
• Bar retained dentures - A slim metal bar that is shaped as per the curve of the jaw is attached to two to five implants that have been placed in the jawbone. Clips are fitted to the bar and the denture. The denture then fits over the bar and is then securely clipped by the attachments.

The Process of Implant

The implants are placed in the jawbone at the front of the mouth, as there are more bones in the front of the jaw. Once a person loose tooth, he also starts to lose bone in that jaw area. The front jaw also has fewer nerves and structures that impede with the placement of the implants. The time for implant varies and is based on several factors. The shortest time require for the implant in lower jaw is five months and seven months for the upper jaw. The process can take more than a year based on the condition of the jaw.

What to Expect From Implant-Supported Denture?

This type of denture is much stable than regular dentures. After fixing them the user will find is quite comfortable and easy to speak and eat. Chewing foods will become much easy and the fear of dentures falling out will resolve. These dentures offer more freedom to the gum, mouth and the oral behavior of the user.