What are the benefits of correct teeth alignment and Braces?
OVERDENTURES –
The name itself suggests that they are the dentures placed “over” something. When only few teeth are present & dentist want to preserve them then overdentures are made.
The main reason of making a overdenture is
1)_By maintaining few teeth, The height off the bone surrounding the teeth is maintained
2)- The preserved teeth gives retention, stability & support to the paritial denture prepared.
3)- Better biting efficiency than complete denture
4)- More esthetic & helps patients confidence.
Overdenture is a practical dental treatment that is suitable for patients missing some of their teeth. The treatment is also called hybrid prosthesis, tooth-supported dentures, or telescopic dentures. Principally, remaining natural teeth or dental implants support overdentures to give the maximum comfort and functionality.
What Is An Overdenture?
An overdenture is a type of removable denture resting on the remaining natural teeth, teeth root, or dental implants. They are dental prostheses used to replace missing natural teeth for particularly edentulous patients.
There are various types of overdentures. Basically, overdentures are implant-supported or tooth-supported. However, it is possible to categorize them according to other properties.
TYPES OF OVERDENTURES
Implant Supported Overdentures
Implant-supported overdentures are supported by dental implants and are ideal for edentulous patients with a sufficient amount of ridge bone. They provide high stability and aesthetic beauty. Dentists can use different attachment techniques depending on the case.
Tooth-Supported Overdentures
Tooth-supported overdentures are supported by remaining natural teeth or teeth roots. Preventing the resorption of the residual ridge, they offer stability and long-lasting functionality. Some rigid or non-rigid techniques can be used to attach tooth-supported overdentures.
Maxillary Implant supported Overdentures
Maxillary overdentures are attached to the upper jaw. They are usually attached to the maxillary arch using dental implants of 4. If the patient has enough teeth remaining, the tooth-supported overdenture technique can be used, too.
Mandibular (Lower Jaw) Overdenture
Mandibular overdentures are supported by natural teeth or dental implants, and they are used for the lower arch of the mouth. For implant-supported mandibular overdentures, dentists usually use 4 implants to provide the best support and stability.
Stud Attachment
Stud precision attachments, also called ball-retained overdentures, are commonly used for removable overdentures. They have male and female components. The two components are attached, and they provide stability and retention. Parallel stud attachments allow patients and dentists to remove dentures easily.
Magnetic Attachment
Magnet attachments are used to secure the holding between the overdenture and implants. Magnetic attachments do not require abutment parallelism, and thus they can be a better option in some cases.
Bar-Retained Overdenture
Bar-retained overdentures make use of a bar between the implants. The denture is clipped onto the bar, and it provides a strong retention. Bars provide higher security than a traditional denture as well as allowing easy removal.
What Are The Implant Overdenture Steps?
The steps to implant overdentures are as follows:
Step 1: Initial Consultation
The dentist examines whether you are a good candidate for implants and overdentures. To this end, they take the impressions of your jaws and remaining teeth (if any). If you don’t have enough ridge bone, you might need a bone grafting treatment before moving on to the next step.
Step 2: Implant Placement
They give local anesthesia and place the implants. Then, you need to wait for the implants to fuse with the jawbone. It usually takes 3-5 months for the implant and bone structure to fuse.
Step 3: Abutment Placement
Abutments are tiny posts protruding from gums to serve as a base for the overdentures to come. When the implants are fused with jawbones, the dentist places the abutments.
Step 4: Taking Impressions
Your dentist needs to take impressions of your mouth to prepare a custom-made overdenture for you. Impressions are sent to the laboratory, and technicians manufacture the perfect overdenture for you.
Step 5: Fitting And Alignment
Once your overdenture is ready, the dentist attaches it to the implant abutments and does the final fitting and alignment. Your denture should fit your mouth strongly and comfortably.
Step 6: Follow-up Visit
Your dentist arranges an appointment to see if your implant-supported overdenture works properly.
What Are The Pros Of Overdenture?
Overdentures offer you the following advantages:
• Natural-looking and comfortable replacement
• Better nutrition with increased biting and chewing performance.
• Enhanced support for jawbone without sunken look.
• Simple maintenance requirement.
• Lasting solution.
What Are The Cons Of Overdenture?
Overdentures might not be the best option for some patients due to one or more of the following reasons:
• Implants (for implant-supported overdentures) require healthy bones and gums.
• The procedure usually takes several months.
• The cost of the treatment might be too expensive especially if your insurance doesn’t fully cover it.
What Is The Cost Of Overdenture?
The cost of overdentures can vary widely depending on a number of factors, including:
• The number of dental implants needed
• The type of overdenture (implant-supported, dental bridge-supported, etc.)
• The quality of the materials used
• The geographic location of the dentist’s practice
What Is The Difference Between A Denture And An Overdenture?
Overdentures come with improved functionality and stability compared to traditional dentures. Therefore, overdentures result in higher patient satisfaction.
A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and gums. A full denture replaces all of the teeth in a single jaw, while a partial denture replaces one or more missing teeth. Dentures are held in place by suction, adhesives, or metal clasps that attach to the remaining teeth.
An overdenture is a type of denture that is retained by dental implants. Overdentures are more stable and secure than traditional dentures, and they can also help to preserve bone mass in the jaw.
Here is a table that summarizes the key differences between dentures and overdentures:
FAQs About Overdenture
Here are the short answers to the most common questions about overdentures:
What Teeth Are Best For Overdentures?
Overdentures can replace full arch, but especially for partial overdentures, the teeth with the most solid roots are the best such as canines and molars.
What Are The Alternatives Of Overdenture?
The alternatives for overdentures can be dental implants or bridges.
How Long Do Overdentures Last?
The survival rate of the overdentures varied between 91% and 100% over the duration ranging from 1 year to 10 years according to the article published in the Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics in 2012.
How Do I Care For An Overdenture?
To care for an overdenture, you should:
• Remove your denture daily and clean it daily.
• Use non-scented antibacterial soap and water for cleaning.
• Scrub it gently to make sure there are no food particles left.
• Let it stay in clean water overnight.
• You can add a denture cleaning table to the water once or twice a week.
• In the morning, brush your gum tissue, abutments, and tongue decently.
• Put your overdenture carefully.
Are Overdentures Removable?
There are removable and fixed overdentures.
Can You Wear Dentures Full Time?
Wearing dentures full-time is not advised. Your gum tissue needs to contact with fresh air, and your dentures need to be cleaned. Otherwise, you might suffer from irritation or swelling in your gums.