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Dental Implant Overdenture

What is an implant overdenture?

OverdentureAn implant overdenture is an implant denture which rests on top of several implants in the jaw of a person that has several missing teeth. The implant overdenture is a procedure taught in advanced maxillofacial training programs. The implant overdenture is a solution for loose dentures and ill fitting dentures. The implant overdentures prevent denture sores and denture ulcers caused from slipping dentures.

Dr. Sabbagh is proficient in the treatment planning and placement of implants for use in denture retention. Denture retention make it possible to chew, swallow and speak with confidence. When your denture moves around on the ridge of your gums you have difficulty speaking, swallowing and chewing your food. Eventually an ill fitting denture will produce denture sores or ulcerations in the mouth from the constant moving of the denture on the ridge. Patients in the past would apply a denture adhesive to the under surface of the denture. This adhesive would provide temporary support preventing the denture from slipping. Today with the use of implant overdentures, denture adhesive becomes a thing of the past.

The placement of implants for an implant overdenture is an advanced oral and maxillofacial surgery procedure and should only be performed by an oral surgeon with several years of specialty training like Dr. Emily Sabbagh. The angulation and spacing of the implants in the implant overdenture along the edentulous ridge or the gums in the mouth that have no teeth are usually determined by the restorative dentist. Together with Dr. Sabbagh, the restorative dentist verifies the proper angulation of the implants. This placement is determined by Dr. Sabbagh using a surgical guide stent which is fabricated by the restorative dentist. The surgical guide stent is placed over the patients gums and has markers and openings on the top that have been carefully measured by reviewing special 3D x-rays, traditional x-rays as well as measurements and models of the patient's mouth.

How does the implant overdenture work?

The implant overdenture secures and stabilizes a denture. Normally a denture relies on the gums of a person with several or all missing teeth for retention. As the ridge of the gums recede and the bone resorbs under the denture, the denture becomes loose and uncomfortable. Loose dentures can create denture sores and eventually it is impossible to retain the denture comfortably. The implant overdenture is the solution to this problem.

The latest techniques for implant overdenture accuracy

Dental implants are strategically placed a certain distance apart and with a certain angulation. Proper placement is learned during the extensive training of the oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Improper placement or angulation will result in implant failure. Proper placement is possible only if the surgeon understands the function of occlusion or the way the jaws function. Chewing and swallowing as well as speaking is a complex series of movements of the upper and lower jaw. This movement is learned as part of the formal training as an oral and maxillofacial surgeon. Incomplete understanding will result in a failure in proper implant placement. After six months of healing, the implants, instead of crowns, will have attachments that fit onto the special denture with customized attachments.

How many implants are necessary for the implant overdenture?

The amount of implants required for an implant overdenture depends on the size of the jaw and the patients bite. Usually, the minimum of two implants on the bottom jaw and a minimum of four implants on the top jaw or maxilla is required for proper function. If too few implants are placed the denture may become dislodged by the normal process of swallowing and chewing. The bottom jaw or mandible is particularly prone to the denture being dislodged due to the action of the tongue. Of course, adding more implants on either the top or bottom jaw will give the denture better retention as well as help to preserve the bone. When chewing occurs, the chewing forces are transmitted onto the implants and the bone responds by becoming more dense.

Can I remove the implant overdenture?

The implant overdenture can be taken in and out of the mouth and when chewing occurs the force is transmitted onto the implants instead of the ridge of the jaw. The significance of this is that the implant overdenture will stabilize the jaw and slow the bone loss. When the denture is securely snapped into place on the implants, you are ready to enjoy the quality of life you had before. Eating, speaking, and biting into an apple without the fear of losing your denture in embarrassment is once again a reality with a properly fabricated implant overdenture. With the implant overdenture cleanliness is simple. The implant overdenture is removed and the implants in the mouth are brushed every day. The denture is brushed as well. Call for an appointment today or simply request an appointment online.