Implant-Retained Dentures
Dr. Furber – 31 Dec 2009

Implant retained dentures are a rather new and modern development within the dental healthcare industry. They work most effectively by combining the best features of traditional dentures with the benefits offered by high-tech and advanced dental implants.

A dental implant is a small device shaped like a bolt or screw that is typically made from super-strong titanium. The implant is inserted into a small hole drilled into the jawbone. A denture requires several implants to be secure. The denture then rests on the implants that anchor them in the same manner as a natural tooth sitting on a natural root (simulating or mimicking the performance of a tooth root is critical to the process).

Without implants the dentures do not have reliability or a solid base of support. Old-fashioned dentures rely for their entire support on the ridge provided by the jawbone but tend to move around, cause problems when chewing or talking and be very uncomfortable. All of these characteristics of traditional dentures have the potential to create problems for the patient. Implant retained dentures eliminate these worries and solve the problems of old-time dentures in a newer, more modern and successful way. The implant-retained denture is one that stays in place. Patients have reported that they are so comfortable that they forget they are wearing a denture!

The implant-retained denture sits on top of a specially designed and engineered titanium anchor while conventional dentures rest on top of delicate and disease-prone periodontal tissues or gums. Just imagine how much friction and abrasion can occur from having a denture riding around on top of your gums. How easy might it be for the entire denture to come loose, get out of proper alignment or even fail to work as it is intended?

Now picture the new alternative. Instead of floating around on top of the gums and supporting itself by unwanted pressure on nearby teeth, the implant-retained denture is totally self-supporting and independently secure. It does not just lie on top of the gums but is attached to a man-made root or anchor that is permanently installed into the jaw. The jawbone and surrounding supportive tissues grow around the implant until they are snug and tight; just like bone and gum grows around a real tooth root.

While a missing tooth usually causes bone loss, an implant stimulates the jaw in such a way that the bone is not lost but continues to increase in strength until it is solid like rock. Meanwhile, the person wearing this kind of denture enjoys rock solid reliability (the implant supported denture can handle lots of chewing and grinding without coming loose), improved confidence, self-esteem and the worry-free knowledge that the repair of their missing tooth or teeth will likely last a lifetime.

The implant-retained denture is a wonderful product that has helped many people with missing teeth. Although the treatment process can take longer than other treatment methods and the initial cost can be higher, the benefits far outweigh the disadvantages. The conventional denture allows for bone loss, is uncomfortable or even painful for the wearer and often does not stay in place, creating severe eating difficulties and even difficulties speaking. The implant-retained denture is the solution. It has proven to work very well in most cases.