Implant-Retained Dentures
“If you have dentures that simply sit on top of your gums then dental implants are a great way to secure them in place. You will be able to eat, smile and talk the way nature intended.”
An implant-supported denture is a type of overdenture that is supported by and attached to dental implants. A regular denture rests on the gums and is not supported by implants.
Implant-retained overdentures by same day smiles™ have several advantages over regular dentures:
- Implant-retained dentures don’t need messy denture adhesive
- The bone loss with implants is less, which protects the jawbone
- Implant-secured dentures provide support to the lips, minimising any wrinkles as a result of lost lip support
- Chewing and eating foods is easier and many denture wearers who have a soft food diet can eat solid foods with implant-retained dentures
- They are more confortable and secure
- Speech issues due to loose and slipping dentures are resolved
What does the treatment involve?
Due to the vast experience that all same day smiles™ dentists have, securing an overdenture with implants is a quick and painless procedure with minimal discomfort and rapid recovery.
The procedure will depend on the individual clinical situation and the type of implant used to support the denture (ball or bar attachments). During your initial consultation your same day smiles™ dentist will explain the procedure to you and take any necessary x-rays, diagnostics and scans and give you a written treatment plan. During this consultation the dentist will answer any questions you may have.
On the day of your treatment, titanium implants will be surgically placed within your jawbone in line with your treatment plan and these will be left to heal naturally for between 3-6 months.
During this healing period you can wear your overdenture and there won’t be any load placed on the implants as they will be underneath the gum tissue. Once the implants have fully healed they are exposed and the appropriate attachments are fitted to the implants and denture to enable the denture to be clipped securely in place.
What are the different types of implant-supported dentures
There are two types of implant-supported dentures: bar-retained and ball-retained. The differences are in the attachments rather than the denture itself.
Bar-retained dentures – A thin metal bar is attached to the implants that have been placed in your jawbone. Clips are fitted to the bar, the denture or both. The denture fits securely over the bar and is held in place by the attachments.
Ball-retained dentures – Each implant in the jawbone is fitted with an attachment that resembles a ball-shape, which clips into sockets on the denture that hold the denture firmly in place.
An upper denture is likely to need four implants whereas a lower denture may only need two implants to hold it securely in place.
How much do implant-retained dentures cost?
The cost of implant-retained dentures will vary depending on your unique requirements. We normally charge £4,995 for the lower arch, and prices for the upper arch start at £7,995. Get in touch today to discuss the treatment and find out about our payment options.