Missing All Lower Teeth

Many patients have minimal difficulty wearing upper dentures. Difficulties associated with the use of lower dentures are common. Lower dentures do not develop “suction” like upper dentures. They are, therefore, generally more mobile and less well retained.

Ball Attachment Denture

This option involves the placement of two implants in the front of the lower jaw. The denture is made to “snap” onto these implants, much like a dome fastener. This treatment option provides a lower denture that is much more stable and well retained when chewing. Some patients with advanced shrinkage of the jaw may still have some, though vastly reduced, movement of the denture. As with all removable teeth, the patient will still need periodic appointments for denture adjustment and maintenance.

Bar Attachment Denture

This option involves the placement of four to six implants, depending on your jaw size or shape. The implants are connected with a custom made support bar following healing. The denture is made with special internal retention clips that are attached to the support bar, enabling the denture to click firmly into place. This is called an “overdenture”. This treatment option provides still further stability and retention to the lower denture. There is little to no movement of the denture. The denture is still easily removed for cleaning and maintenance.

Screw Retained Denture

A third option involves placing five or more implants in your jaw and attaching a permanent denture. Your denture is held in place by screws or clasps that secure it to the support posts or bar. It doesn’t touch the gum tissue, which allows you to clean under the denture without removing it. This denture will replace all your missing lower teeth and will not be removed except at maintenance visits. Although cleaning under your denture without removing it is more time consuming and requires more dexterity, many patients who want a permanent denture prefer this option.

Screw Retained, Fixed Bridgework

This final option involves the placement of a minimum of eight implants. Metal and ceramic bridges are screw-retained or cemented to the implant abutments. These replacement teeth will appear to be growing out of your gum tissue and will closely resemble the appearance of your natural teeth. This may be combined with freestanding, implant-supported, single teeth. This is the most costly option because it requires more implants and more intricate dental restoration work.

What If I’m Missing All Of My Upper Teeth?

A similar range of treatment options is also available for your upper jaw. However, because the bone is not as hard as that in the lower jaw, people often need more implants to support their new replacement teeth. Depending upon the number of implants to be placed, it may be possible to eliminate the need for covering the roof of your mouth with a complete denture. This option allows you to fully taste your food and gives you a better sense of its temperature. Your denture will feel more natural. You will still have a removable denture, which makes cleaning the support bar and denture much easier.