Dental Implant Existing Partial
Anyone that has ever worn partial or full dentures may have experienced some of the inherent challenges associated with the devices. Dentures are prone to shifting out of position when chewing or talking, frequently rely on messy adhesives to hold them in place, can restrict the consumption of certain foods, and require changes to cleaning routines in order to properly maintain them. Because dentures are designed to lay atop a ridge of bone and gum tissue, the bone suffers from continual degradation over time resulting in less structure for the dentures to hold onto.
Many of these pitfalls can be avoided by utilizing dental implants to retain dentures. Combining dentures with dental implants provides a better fit, improved functionality, and increased comfort. Self-confidence can also be boosted as facial appearances are improved. This article will examine how dental implants and dentures can be used together to restore missing teeth.
How Dentures and Dental Implants Work Together
Dentures have historically been the go-to option for replacing several teeth or an entire set of upper or lower teeth. Custom-built in a lab using impressions of the patient’s mouth, dentures come in two main types: partial dentures and full dentures.
A partial denture is a removable alternative to a dental bridge that utilizes a framework to attach to the patient’s adjacent teeth. A full denture is comprised of an upper base that fits over the roof of the mouth (the palate) and a lower base that has a space to accommodate the tongue.
Whereas dentures rest on the gums, dental implants rely on metal posts or rods that are surgically embedded into the jawbone for support. Once an implant has been placed, the surrounding gum and bone tissues fuse with the device creating a permanent restoration. Crowns can be fitted onto implants to replace one, multiple, or all a patient’s teeth or the implant can be used to support dentures.
For upper jaw restorations, implant-supported dentures can be used. However, lower jaw restorations typically require implant-retained dentures as conventional dentures often lack stability. Because there is less bone area towards the back of the mouth, dental implants are usually placed in the front of the jawbone.
Compared to traditional dentures, combining dental implants with dentures offers several advantages, including:
- Stability and Simplicity: To secure them in place, a minimum of two implants will be needed to combine removable dentures with implants. Doing so provides the stability associated with permanent implants along with the simplicity seen with a traditional denture. Because the overdenture is securely attached to implants, patients can confidently eat and talk without the device slipping out of place.
- Remedies Issues of Traditional Dentures: As previously discussed, traditional dentures, particularly in the lower jaw, are prone to shifting out of place and can lead to embarrassing problems. Often, dental adhesives are used to overcome the issue by providing additional support to keep them held in place. Because traditional dentures simply lay on the gums, they can still come loose or shift out of place even if adhesives are used. While an adhesive can help, it will not overcome a poorly fitting denture. The US Food and Drug Administration indicates that additional adhesives should not be required if dentures are properly fitted and cared for. The need for adhesives is avoided when dentures and dental implants are combined as implant overdentures attach to metal supports placed directly in the jawbone.
- Better Functionality and Appearance: When teeth are lost, the nearby jawbone begins to resorb by the body as it is no longer required to hold teeth in place. As this happens, negative changes to facial structures, appearance, and functionality occur. Whereas conventional dentures cannot avoid this issue, dentures that are retained with dental implants can better preserve the integrity of the jaw structures.
- Permanent Restoration: Because dental implants fuse with the jawbone, implant dentures offer a permanent solution for missing teeth. As such, they do not need to be replaced over time the way traditional dentures or dental bridges do.
- Improved Speech: When traditional dentures move in the wearer’s mouth, speech difficulties often result. Because an overdenture is held more securely in place, and not prone to shifting, speech can be positively affected.
- Affordability: Replacing every lost tooth with individual implants can be prohibitive from a cost perspective. In comparison, implant-retained dentures are generally a more affordable restoration option.
Traditional Dentures: The Issue of Bone Loss
When traditional dentures are used, they tend to become loose over time as oral bone structures begin to shrink. This happens because traditional dentures lack root structures and are unable to properly direct bite function. In time, this leads to bone recession much like what would occur if the mouth lacked teeth.
Prolonged wear of poorly fitting dental plates can worsen bone loss and conventional dentures will need eventual adjustment or replacement. On the other hand, dental implants stimulate bone growth and have similar bite pressure strength as natural teeth.
Implants are often made of titanium because the material has superior biocompatibility properties that allow it to fuse with bone. Known as osseointegration, this fusion process creates single, sturdy unit that stimulates bone. If osseointegration does not properly occur between the jaw and implant, progressive jawbone loss is possible.
Superior Functionality and Aesthetics of Overdentures
By combining dentures with dental implants, not only is function improved but appearance is as well. By preventing the facial sagging common with traditional dentures, overdentures better maintain facial structures. And because the devices have better function than traditional dentures, there are no dietary restrictions with overdentures which helps promote good nutrition. Along with providing superior bite function compared to traditional dentures, implant-supported dentures better restore the smile providing a self-confidence boost for the patient.
Having success rates close to 98%, dental implants, and overdentures, can last for life is cared or properly. Overdentures need to be removed for daily cleaning and prior to going to sleep at night. The implant attachments and gumline should also be gently brushed using a soft-bristled toothbrush.