Implant Overdenture

Implant Overdentures are a great way to increase retention and function to traditional dentures.  The most basic implant denture is also tissue supported toward the back.  So there is still some movement with the implant denture (locator overdenture). 

A more advanced solution is a screw-retained implant denture.  This option has more stability and retention; it is not removed except by Dr.O'Neal. 

Dr. O'Neal will need to do a Complete Exam and review the necessary X-rays prior to begining treatment and fabrication of an implant-supported overdenture.  It is important to know that the treatment for an implant-supported overdenture has a number steps and Dr. O'Neal will go over all of those steps with you during your complete exam.

First, the implants are placed by the oral surgeon either at the time of the extractions or after adequate healing time has passed. This decission will be made by the oral surgeon and Dr. O'Neal, prior to beginning your treatment.  Implants are the foundation for the dental implant prostheses.  Removable and fixed (screw-retained) options are available from this implant foundation.  Dr. O'Neal will discus which treatment option is best for your particular case. Placement of 4-5 implants per arch gives greater flexibility of achieving more advanced prostheses in the future if desired. 

Dr. O’Neal will treatment plan for an interim/temporary prosthesis to be worn during the healing process.  This temporary prosthesis will serve to establish the correct height and bite for the final prostheses.  If more advanced dental prostheses are appropriate, this interim denture can be converted to a screw-retained temporary to more closely resemble the final screw-retained prostheses.  This allows you to evaluate and accept this type of prosthesis before the final fabrication.  Many patients find that having a spare is very comforting and becomes invaluable if the final prosthesis needs repair.

Dr. O'Neal wants you to understand that implant overdentures, like traditional dentures, need to be replaced periodically (normally every 5-15 years).  If excessive forces, like night grinding or clenching, are present, the teeth on the denture may wear prematurely and/or break, or the denture base may crack.  The repair or replacement of the denture would financially be your responsibility.  (Dr. O’Neal typically likes to over-construct dental prostheses for those reasons.  So, he may discuss a structural and esthetic upgrade to give you a better long-term result.)  Even with a structural metal-framework, due to the properties of materials, chipping and breakage may still occur.  Dr. O'Neal will recommend that you wear a protective night guard to protect your implant prostheses.

Dr. O'Neal wants you to understand that food and bacteria will get underneath the dental prostheses.  They will have to be removed for cleaning and brushing, in the case of locator dentures; or they will have to be cleaned under with a proxy-brush, in the case of fixed screw-retained prostheses.  Dr. O'Neal recommends daily and nightly cleaning.  Removable dentures should be removed each night, brushed with a soft bristle tooth brush, and soaked in Polident or a diluted solution of Cool Mint Listerine.  You should also brush around the implants and brush your gums to keep them healthy.

Dr. O'Neal stresses regular check-ups to be maintained every six months.  Prostheses and implant connections will be checked at these appointments as well as any necessary cleaning around the implants themselves.  Plaque build-up around implants will lead to bone loss, gum inflammation, and possibly implant failure.  With good home care, fixed implant prostheses may need to be removed every 12-18 months.

Select components of the implant denture, like the retention rings or caps, may need to be replaced every 6 months-2 years.  Rate of wear on the components usually is directly related to how frequently the implant dentures are taken in and out.  Replacement of these components would be the financial responsibility of the patient.

Implant overdentures, like traditional dentures, may need to be adjusted for sore spots and bite adjustments after initial delivery.  Dr. O'Neal wants patients to know that this could possibly take several visits. 

Dr. O'Neal wants you to also understand that implant overdentures, like traditional dentures, may require an adjustment period to get used to chewing and speaking normally.  This is due to something foreign being in your mouth.  Normally it takes the tongue 2-3 days to adjust to speaking normally.  It is advised to plan for a time where social or speaking engagements are not planned closely after the delivery of the new dentures.

Making the implant restoration look and feel as natural as possible is Dr. O'Neal's goal. 

Dr. O'Neal encourages you to contact him or our friendly dental team if you have any questions about dental implant solutions.  We look forward to hearing from you.

 

 

 

Cosmetic Dentist - Tyler, Steven M. O'Neal, Family and Cosmetic dentistry , Tyler, Texas 75703 (903) 561-0533