Blog Implant Retained Dentures: Maximize Function, Simplify Maintenance and Improve Longevity

Implant Retained Dentures: Maximize Function, Simplify Maintenance and Improve Longevity

Few dental treatment options provide the benefit of dental implants. This benefit is most profound when dental implants are used to help secure dentures. Many refer to this treatment option as an implant denture, All-on-4, or All-on-X. For generations, patients have struggled with complete dentures. Many of my patients have observed their loved ones struggling with discomfort and their inability to chew the foods that they love. The material covering the roof of the mouth, sore spots, and denture adhesives all make the experience uncomfortable. For this reason, patients avoid proceeding with treatment options that would “doom” them to the same issue they witnessed their loved one experiencing. Today, modern dentistry offers the ability to regain 100% functional capacity with a beautiful, maintainable, comfortable and long-term treatment option. One of the most favorable options is fabrication of a bar retained overdenture. With this treatment, dental implants are placed, and a titanium bar is designed to connect the dental implants. The bar splints the implants together to aid in supporting and retaining the denture.

Titanium Connecting Bar with Gold “Locator” attachments

There are many advantages to this design. The function is the most significant advantage. With this option, patients can eat any food they eat with natural dentition. The denture is supported by a titanium bar. This means that biting force is supported by the bar instead of gum tissue and allows for more force to be generated. This is a great benefit for chewing certain types of food. Attachments are added to the bar to aid in the retention of the denture. These attachments hold the denture in position so that it doesn’t fall out. This retention and support thus provide stability to the denture for a more natural function.

Titanium Connecting Bar with Gold “Locator” attachments

Comfort is also maximized with this treatment option. When compared to a traditional upper denture, the material on the roof of the mouth can be removed. This uncovers the roof of the mouth to minimize irritation and gagging. It also exposes taste buds on the roof of the mouth, which enhances the flavor of food. Since the Denture is secured by the titanium connecting bar, a seal is created between the gum tissue and the denture to minimize food particles and liquid from moving under the denture.

Upper Denture/Prosthesis in place with roof of the mouth open

Maintenance is also a common issue with dentures. Unfortunately, most patients require tooth removal due to infection in the gums and bone supporting their teeth, or their teeth have deteriorated due to cavities/tooth decay to a point they could not be preserved. Gum and bone infections can also be an issue around dental implants. Maintaining dental implants to avoid infection is paramount to the longevity and stability of the implant. Attaching the implants with a bar, optimizes stability of the implants, but also allows for easier access to maintain healthy gums and supporting bone. . Many patients do not like the idea of having removable teeth, however being able to remove the teeth allows for much easier maintenance. The gum tissue, dental implants, and bar can be easily maintained in the mouth with daily brushing, and the denture can be easily maintained out of the mouth with denture cleaners. In the event that the denture is ever damaged or broken, it is much easier to repair and much more affordable to repair than a prosthesis that is fixed in place.

Upper Denture/Prosthesis out of the mouth for easy cleaning and maintenance

There are many options available for replacing teeth. This option provides numerous benefits. 100% function, easy maintenance, easy repair, and thus increased longevity.

Before treatment with compromised teeth and gums