Overdentures
When you lose teeth, your whole life is affected. The more teeth you lose, the more significant the effects. Losing an entire arch of teeth can greatly impair your ability to eat, which can then affect your digestion and lead to malnutrition. Your speech suffers, and you become more difficult to understand. Your smile deteriorates, and your confidence falls. Tooth loss also impacts the health of your jaw, leading to bone loss and changes in your facial shape. At Sussex Dental, we can replace an entire arch of missing teeth, restoring your quality of life, with overdentures.
Dental ImplantsDental implants are a revolutionary treatment for replacing missing teeth that provide you with an incredible alternative to traditional treatments. It is a versatile treatment that can be used to replace a single tooth or an entire arch of teeth. Implants consist of small titanium posts that are placed in your jawbone. Your bone fuses to these posts, integrating them into your jaw and turning them into replacement roots. These roots provide your dental restorations, which are made from ceramic, with secure support, ensuring they do not move around.
How Are Overdentures Placed?To receive overdentures, you first need to undergo a procedure to place the implant posts. This procedure is done under a local anesthetic to ensure that you do not feel any discomfort. Sedation is also often provided to help you remain comfortable and relaxed. Your surgery starts with small incisions in your gums, which provides us with access to your jawbone. We then create an osteotomy, or a small opening in the jaw for placement of the implant. Once all implants are successfully placed with proper angulation and alignment, the gums are sutured closed. Finally, a temporary prosthesis can be worn, providing you with some normal function while you heal.
Healing can take several months to complete. As you heal, we closely monitor your progress to ensure that your bone is fusing properly and you are not experiencing any complications. Once you have fully healed from surgery, we remove the temporary teeth and take impressions of your mouth. The impressions are then used to design and create your custom restorations, which are secured into place on your implants.
Overdenture OptionsThere are a few different options for overdentures. These options include: | • |
Implant supported dentures. This is a typical overdenture. It uses 6 to 8 implant posts to provide support for your new arch of teeth. Your teeth are screwed into place on the posts.
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Bar-retained dentures. This type of implant is sometimes recommended if you do not have enough bone mass to support the 6 to 8 posts necessary for a typical implant supported denture. This restoration uses four implant posts that are connected with a titanium bar, which your teeth are attached to.
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All on 4. This treatment is often recommended when you do not have enough bone mass. It uses four posts, which are strategically placed in your jaw to take full advantage of the bone mass you do have remaining. With this treatment, you can avoid the need for a bone graft. |
What Benefits Do Overdentures Offer?Overdentures provide several significant benefits, including: | • |
Restoring the appearance of your smile. Your dental restorations look exactly like your real teeth. They can perfectly restore your smile and give you a boost of confidence.
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Enjoying all of your favorite foods again. Your teeth are strong and secure, and you do not need to worry about them coming loose or falling out. With your ability to chew completely restored, your digestion greatly improves, as does your nutrition.
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Speaking normally again.
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Greater comfort. Your new teeth are supported by the posts in your jaw, rather than directly on your gums. This prevents uncomfortable pressure on your gums as well as the potential for denture sores.
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Easy care. Your new teeth can be brushed and flossed just like your real teeth.
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Preservation of your jawbone. The posts function like the roots of your natural teeth. Not only do they support your new teeth, but they also restore stimulation to your jawbone. This stimulation stops and prevent bone loss, helping your jaw remain strong and healthy. |
With overdentures and dental implants, we can help to greatly improve the functions of your mouth, your smile, and your confidence. Call Sussex Dental at (262) 246-6806 today to schedule your appointment and find out if overdentures are right for you. |
