How Are Dentures Anchored by Implants?

What makes this procedure different?
Considering the fact that the frontal part of the jaw has the more dense bone, instead of the conventional method of placing the Implant straight into the bone (which can require sinus lift and bone grafting) and minimum 6 to 9 months waiting time and healing time, this technique differentiates by placing the back Implants at an angle. Not only do you benefit from the dense bone in the frontal part of the jaw, but we can place a longer Implant, with a much less invasive procedure, without entering into the sinus cavity on the upper arch.

Dental implants can be used to anchor dentures in place in several ways:1) With attachments, the dentures then snap into place on the dental implants. These are removable.2)  With a fixed hybrid denture.  These are securely secured onto the implants with screws and is fixed and can only be removed by a dentist.  These are generally much smaller than removable dentures.Finally, in some cases, you can use fixed crowns and bridges similar to natural teeth.There are most often several options to choose from.  The amount of bone is critical when planning options.

Dentures can be anchored to implants in numerous ways. The least invasive (and least costly) treatment is mini implants. Utilizing a new or existing denture, the Dentist places several (5 optimum) mini implants in the anterior jaw. Through use of snapping in male- female attachments a lower denture can gain stability for chewing and speaking.

Mini implants are far more predictable in the lower jaw. Due to the composition of the bone we find much more success with lower dentures. Even so, mini implants may not be enough security for many people. In these cases,and in the upper jaw we like to place full size implants.  Using 2 or more implants we can secure a denture utilizing the same snap in method. This allows patients the security of a tight fitting set of teeth,yet they can easily be removed for cleaning.

Dentures Can be anchored to dental implants in a few different manners.  Each way has its own function, complexity and associated cost.  Dentures can be attached to implants with a ball and o-ring attachment or Locator attachments which allow the pt to remove them and clean them.  These are very comfortable and usually require a fewer number of implants depending on the particular case. Dentures can also be attached to implants by screw retention which makes the denture a more "permanent" fixture which can only be removed by your dentist. This would be done on occasion for cleaning of the prosthesis. This can be done as as Teeth in an Hour or All On Four.  If considering this treatment, you should avoid the dental implant "SuperCenters" out there.  They basically treat patients like they are being sold a timeshare, they have no vested interest in the patient, just their bank account

There is multiple reasons that a denture anchored on implant is the option other than financial. Mainly the lack of enough bone in the jaw requires an alternative treatment this kind of solution can be ideal especially for the lower jaw. The technicality of anchoring the denture to the implants has become so simple and predictable that financially and medically it is a sound treatment. For the lower jaw, the existing denture can be used to convert to the new placed implants via using the locators. For the maxilla or upper jaw, a new denture should be done to accommodate the minimum four implants needed to snap the denture on them.

Sometimes you can use magnets if its an overlay denture. Most new age dentures are screwed onto the implants using tiny hidden screws.

In an era where everyone wants "fixed dentistry" the over-denture is often overlooked.  An over-denture is a denture that is anchored by either implants or roots under the appliance.  This is the treatment of choice in several situations.  One being cost.  Implants supporting crowns and bridges can be very expensive where as an over-denture that snaps on to several implants can be more affordable.

Often individuals who have lost a lot of bone on their upper jaw bone need the plastic flange of the over-denture to give their lip adequate support in order to get more the youthful aesthetics desired.  Without the support the face can appear caved in or wrinkles can be accentuated.

The first question is to determine your expectations whether you want dentures that come out at night or are removable, or dentures that are permanently fixed with screws or another way. The most common way of keeping dentures secure that is not a permanent solution is with locator abutments that allow the denture to "seat" onto of the abutments, but there are other choices like a ball and socket type. If you would rather have permanently secured dentures you have lots of options including screw retained, spark erosion, milled bar retention etc. There are also techniques like Teeth in an Hour and All on 4 which allow for immediate placement of the implants and immediate loading of the implants with the secured denture. See a board certified surgeon who can give you all these alternatives so you can make an informed decision.

There are various Implant based treatments to meet your medical needs and your personal preferences.

Dental implants will provide you with a stable and long-term solution that reduces pain, discomfort, instability, and bone loss that denture patients experience
 

Dentures are a low cost, short term solution to extensive tooth and gum disease and tooth loss.  We often find patients who are unable to afford restorative care opting to remove the teeth and get a denture.  Unfortunately, a perfect fit may only occur on the day the impression was taken.  The tissues and bone of the mouth that supports the teeth constantly changes and shrinks one the teeth are gone.  This is why so many dentures do not fit well.

A modern solution to this problem has been the addition of implants placed in the jaw which can attach to the denture.  The implants and denture attachments vary in size, depending on the condition of the jaw in the area of placement, may involve a snap on removable or screwed semi-permanent method of attachment. The implants maintain the denture in a fixed position, eliminating rubbing which cause sore spots and movement due to loss of suction.  Implant retention can make a denture feel like a new set of teeth.

Although dentures are relatively inexpensive, implants are not.  Implants can be as much of an investment to retain a denture as the root canals, crowns and bridges may have been when the patient started down the road to being a denture wearer.