Are you like millions of people around the country who are missing most or all of the teeth in at least one arch? Even if you still have some teeth remaining and want to keep them rather than having them extracted, an overdenture could be an excellent way to restore the function and aesthetics of your teeth and gums.
What Are Overdentures?
An overdenture or implant-supported denture is a type of denture that is supported by and attached to implants. An overdenture can also be supported by existing teeth, although many patients who decide upon placement of overdentures in Florida with us opt to have the remaining teeth removed. This allows the customized denture appliance to be fully stabilized by strong, titanium posts implanted in the jaw.
What makes overdentures different than regular dentures? A regular denture rests on the gums, and is not supported by implants. Regular dentures are held in place by a combination of adhesives and the natural suction of the mouth. However, they may move around or feel bulky because they must fully cover the gum.
In contrast, overdentures tend to feel sleeker and more like real teeth because they rest on implants instead of having to cover the gums. The result is a natural appearance that produces a youthful fullness in the cheeks and lips.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Overdentures in Florida?
Wondering if you might be a strong candidate to receive overdentures? Read on to find out if you fit the basic description of a patient who is ideally suited for overdentures.
Remember: An implant-supported denture is used when a person doesn’t have any teeth in the jaw, but has enough bone in the jaw to support implants. An implant-supported denture has special attachments that snap onto attachments on the implants.
Implant-supported dentures usually are made for the lower jaw because regular dentures tend to be less stable there. Usually, a regular denture made to fit an upper jaw is quite stable on its own and doesn’t need the extra support offered by implants. However, you can receive an implant-supported denture in either the upper or lower jaw.
You should remove an implant-supported denture daily to clean the denture and gum area. Just as with regular dentures, you should not sleep with the implant-supported dentures at night. Some people prefer to have fixed (permanent) crown and bridgework in their mouths that can’t be removed. We will consider your particular needs and preferences when suggesting fixed or removable options.
How Does It Work?
There are two types of implant-supported dentures: bar-retained and ball-retained. In both cases, the denture will be made of an acrylic base that will look like gums. Porcelain or acrylic teeth that look like natural teeth are attached to the base. Both types of dentures need at least two implants for support.
Bar-retained dentures — A thin metal bar that follows the curve of your jaw is attached to two to five implants that have been placed in your jawb
one. Clips or other types of attachments are fitted to the bar, the denture or both. The denture fits over the bar and is securely clipped into place by the attachments.
Ball-retained dentures (stud-attachment dentures) — Each implant in the jawbone holds a metal attachment that fits into another attachment on the denture. In most cases, the attachments on the implants are ball-shaped (“male” attachments), and they fit into sockets (“female” attachments) on the denture. In some cases, the denture holds the male attachments and the implants hold the female ones.
What Are the Benefits of Overdentures?
Patients who receive overdentures in Coral Springs or any of our other locations can expect to enjoy several advantages:
- The overdenture will be personalized for the patient’s unique mouth. Because it is stabilized by surgically placed implants, it will not move around and can only be taken out by a dental provider.
- The overdenture can be treated like normal teeth. With regular cleaning and other good oral hygiene practices, an overdenture can last for more than a decade without worry.
- The overdenture will add a sense of youthfulness to the patient’s appearance. It will also stimulate the jawbone, lowering the risk of progressive bone density loss.
- An overdenture can be a cost-effective alternative to paying for many single-tooth dental implants.
The Implant Process
The implants usually are placed in the jawbone at the front of your mouth because there tends to be more bone in the front of the jaw than in the back. This usually is true even if teeth have been missing for some time.
Two surgeries usually are needed. The first one places the implants in the jawbone under your gums. The second surgery exposes the tops of the implants. The second procedure comes three to six months after the first. A one-stage procedure is now used sometimes. In this procedure, your dentist can place the implants and the supporting bar in one step. The success rate of this procedure is high. Once you lose teeth, you begin to lose bone in the area. Also, the front jaw doesn’t have many nerves or other structures that could interfere with the placement of implants. 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 includes surgeries and the placement of the denture. However, the process can last a year or more, especially if you need bone grafting or other preliminary procedures.
How Much Do Overdentures Cost?
Overdentures cost more than regular removable dentures. However, they cost much less than paying for single dental implants. A single dental implant placement can cost more than $1,000, making it hard for some people to afford to fill in an upper or lower arch with single implant restorations.
On the other hand, overdentures only require the placement of a few dental implants. This significantly lowers the overall cost. Plus, the custom-created dental prosthetic is made from resilient, lifelike material that should endure for well beyond a decade with regular maintenance and normal at-home hygiene practices.
When you visit Friedman Dental Group for your overdentures consultation, we will discuss the estimated cost and talk you through our many financial options to help you pay for a beautiful new smile.
Where We Offer Overdentures in Florida
Are you interested in speaking with our dental team about overdentures? Contact us at 877-421-0584 or online to schedule a time to meet at our offices in Coral Springs, Plantation, Tamarac, Palm Beach or Delray Beach.