Dentures with Implants
If you have read about dentures, you know they can be challenging for patients to wear because of all the problems that come with them. With implants, there is a greatly improved satisfaction, comfort and ease of chewing. Implants enhance the way dentures fit and offer a better alternative than dentures alone.
Advantages with implants
- Stabilize dentures so they won’t move all around
- Keep them in place so they won’t embarrassingly pop out at the wrong moment
- No need for denture adhesive
- Remove the part of the upper denture that covers the palate so people can speak and taste food better
- Prevent bone resorption and tissue loss that occurs as teeth are missing
- Prevent sore spots and ulcers from developing and decrease the number of follow up appointments needed with dentures
- Make chewing foods as easy as with your natural teeth
- Eliminate the learning curve of how to eat properly with dentures and eat any food you want
Disadvantages with implants
- More expense with implants, increasing with the number of implants placed and attachments used with the denture
- Minor surgery needed to place implants
- Not every patient is a candidate for implants. Smoking, certain health conditions, and poor bone quality or quantity can be factors. It is important to talk to Dr. Brian to see if you are a good candidate.
Overdenture or hybrid denture?
Dentures that attach to implants but are still removable are called overdentures. Dentures permanently fixed to implants are called hybrid dentures. Both options have their strengths and weaknesses. Dr. Brian can discuss which option may be best for you.
Overdenture strengths- Easier to clean around the denture and implants when the denture can be taken out
- Snaps into place using special attachments
- Good for patients that need more lip support or have less restorative space
- Less expensive and easier to repair if something happens
- May need to be relined if resting on tissue
- Special attachments can wear out and need replacement
- Still feels like a denture
- May feel bulky
- Need to take out at night
- More time in a denture while healing without the benefits of implants
- Will feel, look, and function more natural than a denture
- Fixed in place, never coming out unless removed by the dentist
- Does not need to be relined
- No time needed with a denture without implants if done as part of the teeth in a day procedure
- Not as big and bulky as overdentures can feel
- Takes more time to fix if a problem occurs
- More expensive due to custom milled titanium bar needed to fix denture in place
- Harder to clean around implants and underneath prosthesis; may occasionally need to be taken out every couple of years to clean properly
- Not the prosthesis for people who need lip support or don’t have the room needed for the titanium bar
What to expect with implants and dentures
Implants add more time and expenses to complete with dentures. Dr. Brian and a periodontist will work closely together to complete the process. A CT scan will be taken to determine the number of implants needed and where they should be placed. Dr. Brian will need to make a temporary denture.
OverdenturesImplants are placed by the periodontist. While you are healing, you will wear the denture unattached to the implants. You may want to read about the problems of dentures if you are new to them to prepare yourself for what could be a difficult transition. It will only be for 3 or 4 months though until we can finally load the implants. An overdenture is then made and attached to the implants. Sometimes an existing denture can be used and converted into an overdenture.
Fixed hybrid denturesFor those that do not want to deal with the problems of a denture or anything removable, then the fixed hybrid is a better solution. Teeth in a day or All-on-4 procedures can be used to give you something fixed the same day teeth are taken out and implants placed. Everything is done in one long appointment. It is possible that the implants may not be able to be loaded the day of surgery and you will have to wear the denture while the implants heal. Usually the temporary denture can be attached to the implants and you have a fixed denture while you are healing for 3-4 months. During this time period you need to be careful to not break the temporary denture. When the implants are ready to be restored, impressions are taken. It will take several appointments to make the final hybrid denture.
Problems that may occur with dentures and implants
It is rare, but implants can fail. Like a car, parts wear out. On both overdentures and hybrid dentures, the acrylic and teeth can fracture from the base and need replacement. Special attachments or screws may need to be replaced adding to the expense of a denture with implants.
Caring for your implants and dentures
Implants are susceptible to the same gum and bone disease that teeth can suffer from. Unhealthy gum and bone around an implant can cause an implant to fail.
It is important to brush and floss around the implants so that they will stay healthy for a lifetime. Regular cleanings, radiographs and exams with Dr. Brian are also necessary to make sure the implants are stable.
It is also necessary to take care of your denture to help it last.
For overdentures it is the same process as a denture.
For hybrid dentures, brush the dentures and implants with a soft toothbrush. Clean underneath of the hybrid with Super Floss and a Water Flosser. Every so often, depending on your needs, the hybrid denture will be removed from the mouth so the underside of it and the implants in the mouth can be best cleaned. There is an extra charge to this cleaning appointment because of the time and materials it takes to take off and put back on the hybrid.