Implant Retained Dentures and OverdentureSt. George, UT

When you lose a tooth, it is best for your oral health to have it replaced. Missing teeth can affect your “bite” as well as your ability to speak and chew. This loss can increase the burden on your remaining teeth and can cause muscle pain in your jaws and headaches. In addition, loss of a tooth can affect your appearance and confidence.

While many patients have no problem wearing an upper denture, some people can find it difficult to wear and eat with lower dentures. We offer several implant-supported replacement options at Red Cliffs Dental in St. George, Utah.

What are some of the benefits of Implant Retained Dentures and Overdenture:

• Improved confidence
• Stability during eating
• Bone and gum preservation
• Improved dental hygiene
• Superior esthetics
• Nutritional benefits

What options do I have if I am missing all of my lower teeth?

Option 1: Ball Attachment Denture

One option is to have two implants placed in your lower jaw and a denture made that snaps onto these dental implants. This option can allow your lower denture to be more stable while chewing than without implants. However, there will still be movement of your lower denture, and sore spots can occur if any food particles, especially seeds, are caught under the denture. As with all removable replacement teeth, you still will need periodic appointments for denture adjustments.

Option 2: Bar Attachment Denture / Overdenture

Another option involves placing four to six implants, depending on your jaw size or shape, into your lower jaw. After healing is complete, the implants would be connected with a custom-made support bar. This denture is made with special internal retention clips that attach to the support bar, enabling the denture to snap firmly into place. This is called an “overdenture.” Advantages of the overdenture option is it is a much more stable option than the Ball Attachment Denture thus allows very little denture movement. Your denture is still removable for easy maintenance and cleaning.

Option 3 – Screw Retained Denture

Screw Retained Denture involves placing five or more implants in your jaw and attaching a permanent denture. The denture is held in place by screws or clasps which secure it to the support posts or bar. This option does not touch the gum tissue, allowing you to clean under the denture without removing it. This Screw Retained Denture replaces all your missing lower teeth and will not be removed except at maintenance visits. Although cleaning under your denture without removing it is more time consuming and requires more dexterity, many patients who want a permanent denture prefer this option.

What options do I have if I’m Missing all of my upper teeth?

The Implant Retained Upper Denture can be a good option as the bone in the upper jaw is not as hard as the lower jaw, and people can often need more implants to support their new replacement teeth. Depending upon the number of implants to be placed, it can be a possible option to eliminate the need for covering the roof of your mouth with a complete denture. The Implant Retained Upper Denture allows a person to fully taste their food and gives you a better sense of the food’s temperature which is important. Your denture will feel more natural and you still have the benefits of a removable denture, making cleaning the support bar and denture much easier.

Implant Retained Upper Denture

Depending upon the number of implants to be placed, it may be possible to eliminate the need for covering the roof of your mouth with a complete denture. This option allows you to fully taste your food and gives you a better sense of its temperature. Your denture will feel more natural. You will still have a removable denture, which makes cleaning the support bar and denture much easier.