An Implant-Supported Dentures Overview
An implant-supported denture is a kind of overdenture that is sustained with and connected to the implants.
The arrangement can be comprehended this way- dentures are worked with implants to provide the perfectly fitted appliance that lasts longer.
Traditionally, implants are applied when there are no teeth left in the jaw but otherwise, have sufficient bone to sustain implants. On the other hand, conventional dentures are supported by gums and do not demand implants.
However, implant supported dentures employ special attachments that can be placed onto the implant attachments.
Notably, implant supported dentures are more or less utilized for the lower jaw, providing stability to the denture (as many times conventional dentures feel unsteady in the lower jaw region).
However, there is no fixed pattern for getting particular dentures for upper or lower jaw and you can receive implant supported dentures in the upper jaw as well.
Types of Implant Supported Dentures
Conventionally, there are two kinds of implant supported dentures- Bar retained and ball-retained.
- Both these dentures are construed with the acrylic base and made to resemble gums.
- Both these dentures are fabricated with teeth made from porcelain or acrylic and made identical to natural teeth.
- Both types of implant supported dentures require the support of minimum two implants.
How Bar-Retained Dentures Work?
- Following the curve of your jaw, a thin metal bar is placed.
- This metal bar is attached to two to five implants in the patient’s jawbone
- The bar, the denture or both are fitted with clips or other sorts of attachments.
- The denture is placed over the bar and is securely clipped into the place with the help of the attachments.
How does Ball-Retained Denture or Stud-Attachment Dentures Work?
Every implant in the jawbone endures a metal attachment that clicks into another attachment on the denture.The attachments on the implants are primarily ball-shaped and are called the male attachments. These male attachments secure into sockets, which are called the female attachments.
Basic Checklist for Implant Supported Dentures
Consultation is Important Part of Procedure
Before getting implants, it is critical to brace yourself for the procedure. It is recommended that you go with a thorough consultation with your prosthodontist or dental surgeon. Quite so you should also know about his/her experience and whether he/she possesses advanced training in the arrangement and refurbishment of the implants.
While in the consultation stage, the dentist will take a review of your dental condition. He can also evaluate your present/past medical and dental histories.
Taking X-rays and CT Scans
A dental surgeon will require your X-rays to identify your dental condition. During this time he will also take your gum and teeth impressions in order create highly identical models that fit exactly in your jaws. In some cases, the dentist needs computed tomography or CT scan of your mouth.
CT scan can assist in multiple ways- it records your sinuses (located above your upper teeth) and nerves. It further enables dentists to identify if the sinuses or nerves are not harmed by the implant placement. A CT scan moreover helps in determining how much bone is left and ascertain best locations for the implants.
Positioning your Denture Implants
The front of your jawbone has more bone than the back area. The implants are deposited in the front of the mouth for the same reason. More than often this happens as the teeth’s are missing for a greater period of time.
In addition, the front jaw does not hold any nerves or any such structures which should possibly interfere with the position of the implants.
Determining the Time Period
There could be a number of factors that could determine the time period to complete the denture implant process. On average the minimum time frame suggested is 5 months for lower jaw and seven months for the upper jaw.
This is the total time period including surgeries and the placement of the denture. Nonetheless, the process may consume up to a one-year minimum, if your bone requires grafting and other preparatory procedures beforehand.
Two Surgeries or One-Stage Procedure
In conventional treatment for Implant supported dentures, two surgeries are usually necessitated. In the first surgery, the dentist places the implants in the jawbone under your gums and after three to six months of the gap period the second surgery takes place
Many dentists presently opt for a one-stage procedure to save the time. Here the dentist places the implants and fits the supporting bar in only one step. Even the success rate is higher for this procedure.
Temporary Denture
Dentists usually prepare temporary dentures to replace your missing teeth for a brief period of time, until you get yourself a whole set of final dentures. Dentists usually recommend you to wear this temporary denture until the full implant-supported denture are perfectly fitted in your jaws.
On average this takes at least 4 visits to your dentist. You may also require to span for several weeks to finally complete the process. The temporary set of denture helps in resolving the soundest place for the final fitting.
You can also use these dentures to work as a backup for the permanent dentures. If you are final denture is problematic and is not adjusted right, you can keep on using the temporary ones till the final process is complete.
Temporary dentures are also beneficial in a way if you think that the cost of your new set is higher. You can go back to your temporary dentures, however, just make sure that have attachments added to securely fit them with your implants.
What is the Surgical Procedure for the Denture Implants?
First Surgery
The first surgery can be performed in the first month if no dentures need to be made. However, if dentures are required then it will be performed in the second month.
Procedure: The first surgery requires placing the implants in your jawbone. Initially, an incision is created in the gum which will hold the implant. This incision is made by drilling a hole in the bone. Thereafter, the implant is deposited into the hole and the incision is sewed to close.
Aftercare: The aftercare involves avoiding pressure on the implants. The dentist may give you temporary denture so that direct pressure is evaded on the implants. Temporary dentures give soft reline, a new lining subsequent to your gums) to support you and abate the pressure on your gums.
After completing a successful first surgery, the dentist will ask you to pause for three to four months if implants were fitted for the lower jaw. While the average waiting time for upper jaw is five or six months before scheduling the second surgery. Throughout this time, the bone and the implants blend and fuse together.
Second Surgery
Depending on the requirement of dentures, the dentist will wait for 4 or 5 months if you don’t need to make a new one or 5/6 months for the vice versa.
Procedure: The second surgery is scheduled at once if the implants seem to have been fused properly. The dentist approves for the surgery after taking an X-ray, which reports if the implant is fit for the surgery or not.
- The second surgery is modest than the first one and requires a small incision in your gums. This reveals the roofs of the implants, where a healing cap or collar is also placed on each.
- The collar is a rounded piece of metal that checks the gums are away from the head of the implant and helps your gum tissues to heal correctly.
- The standard waiting time for sustaining with a collar is 10 to 14 days. Now again the dentists will fit your temporary denture for another soft reline. The reline substance will fasten the denture to the healing abutments.
- Two weeks after the second surgery, the healing caps are substituted by regular abutments. The dentists make sure that your gums are healed suitably to making an impression of your gum tissue and abutments.
- These impressions are then used to make the model of your abutments and jaw. Further, it makes the denture framework and teeth.
Denture Try-In and Insertions
The next waiting time is 5 or 6 months if no dentures need to be made. Further, if you require dentures then it will be- 6 or 7 months.
What Will Happen During This Time?
During this time, the metal bar is placed over the abutments. The denturist will help you with your first try-in of your new dentures framework and check for any adjustments.
Now if the framework and the abutments fit properly, the teeth are temporarily placed on the framework in wax. If it works well then the teeth are secured in the dentures framework enduringly. At this point in time, the bar or balls are also secured.
Nonetheless, you may have to pay another visit to your dentist for insertions. During insertion of the denture, it is snipped onto the bar or closed on the balls for attachments.
Again the temporary dentures are used for the new reline. It is significant as you may use it as a backup in case you lose your final denture or break your overdenture.
Alternatively, if you are using temporary denture as your permanent denture then again the ball or the bar are secured to it.
Implant Supported Denture Aftercare
The aftercare of your dentures is very valuable as their age is significantly dependent on your attention and concern. Following steps are employed for the aftercare-
- Remove the denture at night on regular basis.
- Cleaning of the dentures is highly important. Carefully clean the attachments as well.
- If your dentures feel loose, visit your dentist to check if it is properly secure.
- Dentures move when you choose, even when they are quite properly fitted. The movement can cause dentures to rub against your gums, which can cause sore spots. Tell your dentist at once about it and get it checked.
- Visit your dentist for proper checking of both tops a bottom and insertions.
- The clip or attachments on the bar retained dentures are made of plastic material and will get worn off after some period of time. You need to get it replaced by your dentist after every 6 or 12 months.
Complications That May Arise with Implant-Supported Dentures
There are certain risks that implants supported dentures bear which include the risk of surgery and failing of implants. You should invest your time after properly going through the risks and learning about the procedures.
Bar-retained denture requires space on the dentures framework for the attachments that are built exclusively for it. Certainly, this leaves less room for the denture framework for the teeth that are fitted with it. As result teeth can sometimes lose some space from the base. However, this problem is easily sorted by your dentist.
Additionally, with bar retained dentures, it is imperative that the bar is evenly balanced on each and every implant. This is termed as “passive fit” by the dentists, and if the fit is not balanced then it can cause the extra stress on your bars and hence the screw loosen up.
Sometimes when you grind or clench your teeth hard, some parts of your dentures may break or fall off.
Know What to Expect
Implant supported dentures are actually more resilient than the regular dentures and make it easier for you to speak. With implant supported dentures you don’t actually need to worry if they might fall off.
Moreover, with fallen or weak teeth you are usually not able to eat some of your favourite foods. But with implant supported dentures, you actually can. However don’t chew hard or grit. Even avoid sticky foods that can damage your denture.
You can always book your appointments with Dentures Direct for your implant supported dentures. Call us at (416)-245-7474 or visit our Toronto denture clinic in Etobicoke today to discuss your dental problems.
