Many people suffer from dental complications throughout their lives, with the most impactful one being the tooth loss. Everybody desires to have their teeth look beautiful and aesthetically pleasing as they smile. With patients suffering from fully edentulous jaw, use of removable denture may cause problems, as the structure of the prosthesis that covers the whole jaw may complicate its use. The answer offered to patients with todays latest technological development is the implant procedure. While there are many variations to implant procedure, it is especially easy for patients suffering from complete teeth loss to use implant supported prosthesis with overdenture bars. As alternative to this, is the bone tissue is sufficiently dense, is to use fixed prosthesis, also known as veneer crown over implants. While this technique is not always used, financial reasons or not having sufficiently dense bone tissue may necessitate that for certain patients, Overdenture over 3-4 implants placed on lower and upper mandibles may be the best course of action.
When the porcelain veneer can be applied and what its differences with Overdenture?
If there are teeth left around the areas where teeth loss occurred on lower and upper mandibles, applying a bridged veneer may overly stress the remaining teeth. Other than that, half-roofed or parted prosthesis applications can also be considered. For these applications, the prosthesis must be affixed to the neighboring teeth with to ensure it is semi-fixed, which may result with an unpleasant sight inside mouth. To prevent this, porcelain coating is applied to hide the attachment points in hooked prosthesis. There is a possibility that this may damage the neighboring teeth. To solve that, in cases where the jaw arc is devoid of teeth, an implant supported prosthesis mounted on 3-4 implants is preferred, with the possibility to remove it depending on patient choice. This is called Overdenture. If the socio-economic means of the patient allows it, and the bone tissue is sufficiently dense and general health in good condition, each mandible can be fitted with 6-8 implants, with porcelain or other types of veneer placed on top, offering the patient a better mastication, a more pleasing look and a more comfortable life.
How Implant supported Overdenture is used?
In order to provide structural support, a pair of male and female attachment heads are placed on teeth and implants, with a locking mechanism that allows these attachments to freely move in, out and lock. This locking mechanism is called Overdenture. The male attachment head located on implant and the female locking mechanism located inside the prosthesis tooth are built to match, and are located facing inside the mouth as to not be seen from outside.
What is the cost?
This implant supported Overdenture has a higher cost compared the hooked ones. The resulting aesthetic look, the ease of putting it on and being able to take it off, its ease of maintenance, the increased laboratory costs, the cost of materials and the use of latest technology all affect the end price. The prices may vary depending on the quality of the implant, the implantation technique, the application conditions, quality of teeth used in operation and methodical differences all have an effect on the final cost.
What is the acclimation period post-operation?
A Overdenture placed on soft tissues and natural teeth can take about a week for the tongue, inner mouth and lips to acclimate to it. Overdenture prostheses offer a shorter acclimation period to patients when compared to other removable dentures. For overdenture bars, there may be some speech impediment caused by the tongue touching the prosthesis structure during the acclimation period. Practicing speech with raised voice, keeping the prosthesis clean and getting used to putting the prosthesis on and off during this period will shorten the acclimation period.
How long the Overdenture can be used?
Recommended use is for 5 years. As with teeth, wear and tear through time and use will deteriorate the prosthesis, and the tissues will be stressed over time. The actual life of the prosthesis will depend on oral hygiene, keeping it clean and maintained, and may be shorter or longer than recommended period.
