This month at Hartwell Dental Excellence we will be explaining what an implant supported denture is and its benefits.

What is an Implant supported denture?

In implant supported denture is a type of denture, which is held stable by implants in your mouth. A normal denture sits on your gums and is held in place by the structure of your jaw and the suction that the denture has with your jaw. Implant supported dentures provide additional stabilisation of the denture. The denture has clips or attachments that snap onto the attachments on the implants. Implant supported dentures are used when a person does not have teeth in an entire jaw, but has enough bone to hold the implants.

What are the benefits?

• Added stabilisation: Normal dentures are kept in place by the shape of the jaw and the suction that the denture has with the jaw. Because suction is important in the stabilisation of a normal denture, the denture needs to be larger to create more suction. This can make it difficult for people to get used to wearing a normal denture. They can be uncomfortable, bulky and cause gagging. Normal dentures are more likely to move and become displaced when chewing and talking. Implant supported dentures do not rely on suction to stabilise the denture, as the denture is held firm when it is clicked into the implants. This means that the denture does not need to be as bulky, and you can eat/talk with the confidence that the denture will stay in place.
• Improved speaking, eating, chewing and esthetics: Added stabilisation that an implant supported denture provides means that you will be able to speak and eat with confidence, knowing that the denture will not slip or fall out. Implant supported dentures are not as bulky – giving a better esthetic outcome. As the dentures are held firm by implants, the dentures are not slipping and sliding as you eat – allowing you to enjoy your food comfortably and improve your quality of life.
• Decreased bone resorbtion: When the jaw no longer has teeth in it, the bone in the jaw starts to break down. As a result, the shape of the jaw can change under a normal denture. This means that a normal denture constantly needs to be changed and refitted as the jaw changes. With implant supported dentures, the implants in the jaw prevent the bone from undergoing resorbtion. By keeping the bone levels stable with implants, the implant retained dentures do not require as much repair and refitting as normal dentures.
• Ease of hygiene: the fact that the implant retained denture can be taken out of your mouth, means that the denture can be taken out and easily cleaned and maintained by you. This is opposed to implant supported bridges, which are permanently attached onto the implants. Implant supported bridges are harder to clean as there are many gaps and spaces that can be difficult for you to access.

 Keep posted for part 2 where we will discuss the appointments involved and home care of your implant supported denture.