An implant-supported overdenture is a full denture that is supported by a variable number of dental implants.
Especially in lower jaws or highly bone atrophied upper jaws full dentures that only rest on the gums, where no supporting teeth are left, tend to fit less firmly and come loose easily.
Implant supported overdentures are provided with special attachments that retain them on implants providing more stability and therefore a more carefree life with dentures.
Benefits of Implant retained Dentures
- Implant retained overdentures provide you with more stability in comparison to conventional dentures
- allows you to eat nearly all kind of food and avoids uncomfortable situations while speaking
- upper jaw overdentures no longer have to cover the palate of your mouth
- dental implant overdentures are the financially economic alternative in comparison to full fixed bridges
Types of Implant Supported Overdentures
Basically there are two types of implant retained overdentures - dental implants with a bar or ball overdenture. The overdenture is removable and can be cleaned.
Bar-retained: The normally placed implants are connected by a thin metal bar that follows the curve of your jaw. A minimum of two (up to five implants) have to be inserted in your jawbone – the more implants the better the resulting stability of your denture. Various other attachments can be fitted into the bar to heighten denture stability.
Ball-retained: The inserted implants are fitted with ball shaped or similar attachments that fit into the counterpart in the overdenture.
