Many patients do not have a problem with wearing an upper denture, but some find it difficult to wear and eat with lower dentures. Several implant-supported denture options are available if you are missing all of the teeth in your lower jaw. Ask our oral surgeon, Dr. Michael Shnayder, which implants solution in Omaha, Nebraska, is right for you.
Ball Attachment Denture
With a ball attachment denture, two implants are placed in your lower jaw and a denture is made that snaps onto these implants. This option makes your lower denture more stable while eating than with traditional dentures. Despite this, there will still be some movement of your lower denture, and sore spots will occur if any food particles, like seeds, become caught under it. Periodic denture adjustment appointments will still be necessary.
Bar Attachment Denture
With a bar attachment denture, four to six implants are placed into your lower jaw. After healing, our oral surgeon will connect the implants with a custom-made support bar. Your denture will be constructed with internal retention clips that attach onto the support bar. This enables the overdenture to snap firmly into place. This option is much more stable than the ball attachment denture and allows very little denture movement. Your denture is still removable for easy cleaning and maintenance.
Screw-Retained Denture
A screw retained denture involves placing five or more implants in your jawbone and attaching a permanent denture. Your denture is held in place by screws or clasps. Your denture will not touch the gum tissue, so you will be able to clean under the denture without removing it. Your denture will only be removed at maintenance visits. Even though cleaning under your denture without removing it is more time consuming, many patients who wish for a permanent denture prefer this option.
Individual Implants
With individual implants, all your teeth are individually replaced so that they closely resemble the appearance of your natural teeth. If you choose this option, eight or more implants are usually required. Abutments and dental crowns are made for each implant. This is the most costly tooth-replacement option because it requires the most implants and individual dental restoration construction.
What if I’m missing all of my upper teeth?
Treatment options are also available for your upper jaw. People often need more implants to support replacement teeth in their upper jaw because the bone is not as hard as it is in the lower jaw.
Implant-Retained Upper Denture
With implant-retained upper dentures, covering the roof of the mouth with a complete denture may not be necessary. When the roof of your mouth is not covered, you will be able to fully taste your food and better sense its temperature. If it retained by implants, your denture will feel more natural. The denture will still be removable, which makes cleaning the support bar and denture simple.
Individual Upper Implants
If you would like to have replacement teeth that look and function like your natural teeth, individual upper implants may be the answer. Eight to ten individual implants will likely be needed. After the healing process, the abutments and replacement teeth will be placed.
We invite you to contact Village Pointe Oral Surgery today to learn more and to schedule an appointment.
