Everything You Want To Know About Implant-supported Dentures

An overdenture that is attached to conventional dental implants is known as an implant-supported denture. Regular dentures sit on the gums – they are not supported by surgically implanted titanium implants. An implant-supported denture is mandated for patients who have no teeth in their jaws, but have sufficient bone content in their jaws to offer firm support to surgical implants. Usually, it’s the lower jaw that is chosen for implant-supported dentures, owing to the fact that conventional dentures don’t fit well on the lower mandible. However, it is possible to get implant-supported dentures for both the upper and lower jaws.

What Kinds Of Implant-supported Dental Implants Are Available?

Presently, two kinds of implant-supported dentures are available – Bar-retained implants and ball-retained implants. Both types of dentures require at least two different implants for support. The denture is constructed out of acrylic and made to appear like natural gum tissue. • Bar-retained Dentures: Two to five implants are used in this form of denture. A thin metal bar attaches to the implants, following the jaw’s curve. The implants are placed in your jawbone and the bar is attached to the dental implants via clips or similar attachments. The denture is attached to the bar and is clipped into place securely. • Ball-retained Dentures: Also known as stud-attachment dentures; in this type, implants hold a metal attachment or ‘ball’ that fits into a similar attachment in the denture. The balls in the dental implants are of ‘male’ type, and the balls in the denture are ‘female’ sockets for a quick clip on effect. In some cases, it is the reverse, with the dentures holding the male attachments and the implants holding the sockets.

What Is The Implant Process?

After reviewing your dental and medical histories, your specialist will take relevant X-rays and take impressions of your mouth to create models. Your specialist may order a Computed Tomography (CT) scan of your mouth to know where your sinuses are located and details such as the extent of bone loss. With this information, your specialist will be able to determine the best locations for the implants.

The front of the mouth tends to contain more jawbone than the back of the mouth. Therefore, the dental implants are placed in the frontal jawbone. The other reason for choosing the frontal jawbone is that this area does not retain as many nerves or other structures that could potentially interfere with implant placement.

What Is The Time Frame Required For The Process?

It takes about five months to complete placing the implants in the lower jaw, and about seven months to complete the process in the upper jaw. The time frame to complete the implant depends on many factors. The shortest time frame is about five months in the lower jaw and seven months in the upper jaw. This time duration includes the implant surgeries, recovery and the placement of the dentures. The entire process can last for more than a year, especially if you require bone grafting and other extensive preliminary procedures.