Implant-Retained Overdentures – Enfield, CT

Traditional dentures are perhaps the most popular way to replace a full arch of missing teeth. However, they come with some disadvantages, such as a measure of instability. At Four Town Dental, we offer a more secure solution: implant-retained overdentures. This type of restoration combines the beauty and removability of a traditional denture with the security and oral health benefits of dental implants. Implant overdentures are ideal for many patients who have suffered extensive tooth loss.

How Do Implant-Retained Overdentures Work?

There are a few different types of implant-retained overdentures, but they all have the same basic structure. At a glance, the overdenture looks like a traditional denture; it has a gum-colored base and a full arch of artificial teeth. However, when you look at the bottom side of the overdenture, you will find that it has small metal attachments there. The attachments allow the overdenture to “snap” onto and off of dental implants that have been placed throughout the jawbone at strategic locations. Thus, an implant-retained overdenture is much more secure than its traditional counterpart.

Am I a Candidate for Implant-Retained Overdentures?

Many people who have lost all or most of their teeth throughout a dental arch are candidates for implant-retained overdentures. This may be true of you if:

• You have adequate bone density and height to support dental implants
• Your gums are healthy
• You have no health conditions that would compromise your ability to heal well after surgery
• You are frustrated with your traditional denture

If you suspect your oral health is not good enough to support dental implants, do not let that hold you back from visiting us for a consultation. We may be able to provide treatments that allow you to become a dental implant candidate in the future.

The Implant-Retained Dentures Procedure

If you have any remaining natural teeth in the portion of your mouth that is going to receive the overdenture, these must be extracted. Then, you will undergo a minimally invasive surgery, wherein a number of dental implants will be placed at throughout the jawbone. The number of implants necessary depends on your bone structure and whether you are replacing your upper or lower teeth. Over a period of a few months, the bone will bond with the implants. Then, attachments will be placed on top of the implants, which will serve as connectors for your prosthetic teeth. In some cases, it is possible to retrofit a patient’s traditional denture to work with dental implants. Most of the time, however, it is necessary to create an entirely new restoration.

Benefits of Combining Dentures & Dental Implants

You can expect your implant-retained overdentures to provide you with some significant benefits:

• Because the overdenture is removable, it will be easy for you to maintain a clean mouth. Not only can you keep the denture itself clean, but you can also keep the area around your implants free of harmful plaque and bacteria.
• An implant overdenture retains its fit much longer than a traditional denture.
• Dental implants provide remarkably strong chewing power. You will not have to worry about your overdenture destabilizing, even when you are eating crunchy or chewy foods.

Would you like to learn more about implant-retained overdentures? Contact Four Town Dental today.