Implant-retained Overdentures
Regular dentures rest on the gums. Ideally they are kept in place by suction if the fit is good enough, as in the case of Turbyfill dentures. Usually though, a denture fixative is required with conventional dentures. Suction and dental adhesives work best on the upper denture because the denture covers the entire roof of the mouth. On the lower jaw, however, even the best-fitting dentures are difficult to keep in place because of the tongue space and less surface area to create a suction.
Therefore, it is highly desirable to be able to anchor the lower denture to the jaw. If the patient has some lower teeth left, these can be used to anchor the denture, which in this case is called an overdenture. If not, the best solution is an implant-retained overdenture.
Dental implants are small titanium posts or screws that are placed in the bone of the jaw. Attachments on the implants protrude above the gum line and attach to matching attachments on the overdenture. The denture then snaps onto these attachments and is anchored into place.
Placing dental implants is virtually painless, and the bone forms a bond with the titanium. For patients who practice good dental hygiene and don’t use tobacco, implants normally last a lifetime and require minimal maintenance.
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