Tooth loss is a dental issue caused by various factors like accidents, aging, tooth decay, etc. Today, there are many dental solutions like dentures available for restoring missing teeth. 

However, traditional dentures do have their downsides. They can fall off while speaking, eating, or laughing. 

In this blog, our dental experts at Diana Dizik, D.D.S., General & Cosmetic Dentistry in San Mateo County, California, explain how overdentures resolve the issues associated with traditional dentures.

What Are Overdentures?

Overdentures are similar to traditional dentures but they are supported by dental implants. This improves the functionality and stability of the dentures. 

The implants are first secured into your jawbone and then the dentures are fixed onto the implants. The implants act as a support for the dentures and help keep them in place. 

Overdentures are often preferred by patients who have lost all or most of their teeth and who can’t undergo a full-mouth restoration. The only requirement for getting overdentures is having adequate jawbone density to support the implants.

Types of Overdentures

You can choose between removable and fixed denture options like:

• Implant-supported overdentures - supported by four to six dental implants and removable.
• Fixed implant-supported overdentures - similar to the above-mentioned overdentures. However, they are fixed and can only be removed by a dentist.
• Bar-retained implant-supported overdentures - have a bar that clips the denture to the implant. They are removable and offer better security than traditional dentures.
• Ball-retained implant-supported overdenture - consists of a ball-shaped abutment that attaches the denture to the implant and requires two to four implants.
• Overdenture partials - used when only a few teeth need to be restored and function just like implant-supported overdentures.

Process

Your dentist will conduct a comprehensive examination of your mouth, including an impression of your teeth to create the temporary dentures and X-rays for analyzing the ideal positioning of the implants. 

After this, surgery is carried out to place the implants. With time, your jawbone will cover the implant and your mouth will be completely healed.

Finally, an impression will again be taken to prepare your permanent dentures.

Benefits

Some of the benefits of overdentures include:

• Prevent muscle and jawbone loss
• They are firm, well-adjusted, and comfortable
• Lesser chance of gum irritation
• You can laugh, eat, and talk without concern
• Maintenance is easy
  
  

To find out whether overdentures are a suitable option for you, call (650) 348-5424 or visit Diana Dizik, D.D.S., General & Cosmetic Dentistry at 720 N El Camino Real, San Mateo, CA 94401.