Many patients adapt well to upper dentures, but wearing and eating with lower dentures can be challenging for some. Fortunately, several implant-supported options exist to replace all your lower teeth and improve stability.
Ball Attachment Denture
This option involves placing two implants in your lower jaw, with a denture that snaps onto them. It offers better chewing stability than traditional dentures but can still move slightly and cause sore spots, especially if food gets trapped underneath. Regular denture adjustments are necessary.
Bar Attachment Denture
Here, four to six implants are placed depending on your jaw’s size. After healing, a custom support bar connects the implants, and your denture snaps onto this bar using retention clips. This overdenture is much more stable with minimal movement and remains removable for easy cleaning.
Screw Retained Denture
With five or more implants, a permanent denture is secured by screws or clasps to the implants or bar. This denture doesn’t rest on your gums, allowing cleaning underneath without removal. Although maintenance is a bit more involved, many patients prefer this fixed restoration.
Individual Implants
For the most natural look and feel, individual implants replace each missing tooth. Typically, eight or more implants are placed, with crowns attached to separate abutments. This approach may require bone grafts and is the most expensive, but closely mimics natural teeth. Jawbone shape and size may limit this option.
What if I’m missing all of my upper teeth?
Similar implant-supported treatments are available for the upper jaw. Since upper jaw bone is softer, more implants may be needed. This can allow you to avoid a full denture covering your palate, improving taste and temperature sensation. The denture remains removable, simplifying cleaning.
Implant Retained Upper Denture
Depending on the number of implants, your upper denture may avoid covering the roof of your mouth, making it feel more natural. Removability also makes cleaning easier.
Individual Upper Implants
For a permanent, natural-feeling solution, eight to ten implants can be placed in the upper jaw followed by abutments and crowns. This option is ideal if you want a non-removable restoration that closely resembles your natural teeth.