Denture + Implants
Dental Implant Supported Dentures
Implant supported dentures, also known as “Implant Retained Dentures” or “Overdentures," can include from one to 28 crowns (14 teeth per arch). With a full arch denture, you also have the option to choose whether you want it to snap in and out, or remain fixed.
At Natural Fit we believe it is important to learn as much as possible. We educate ourselves about your dental history and what is most important to you when considering a Denture + Implant Package. We also like to provide you with as much information as you want, however you want it. Below you can read on to get a high-level idea of all your options, or you can skip reading altogether and schedule a free consultation with our prosthetic dentist specialist by calling or selecting the "Schedule a Free Consult" button.
Removable Implant Supported Dentures | aka "Snap-on Dentures"
This type of denture can be supported by a bar or locator ball attachments. They can be taken out at any time and snapped onto your implants to give you a solid and stable denture; the same as if it were fixed into place permanently. These Denture Implants secured with four tooth implants can cost much less than an All on 4 option. It is a good option if keeping up with dental hygiene is becoming difficult due to the possible deterioration of hand motor skills. Being able to snap them off and clean them can be much easier. Depending on your situation a palate may have to be included with an upper denture, reducing the enjoyment that the palate lends to eating. However, if your snap-on dentures ever need adjustments or repair those costs will be more affordable when compared with a Fixed Bridge option. If you are leaning toward a snap-on denture, but aren't 100% sure, we can create a plan that will make it easy to upgrade to a fixed bridge option, should you decide to at a later date.
All on 2 Dental Implant Dentures
Many of our patients are happy with their removable dentures but want just a little extra support. But they don't see enough additional benefit to justify the extra cost for a fixed bridge option. For these patients, our All-on-2 package is perfect, which can be done with a less-invasive implant called a Mini Dental Implant (MDI). This is a great "middle-of-the-road" option.
Fixed Bridge Implant Dentures
With this type of Denture, your false teeth are fixed typically by six to eight implants and are only removable by a dentist. They are lower profile and eliminate any need for an artificial palate, making eating more enjoyable, but are harder to clean than removable denture implants as you will have to clean between your natural gums and the fixed bridges. For some though, the pros outweigh the cons, and not having to worry about ever losing your dentures or having to take them makes this option the clear choice. If this is what you want, there are three basic variations to choose from.
All on 4® and All on 6® Dentures
The All-on-four® and All-on-six® denture implant packages have become much more commonplace than the more general term “Overdentures.” This name is unique because it refers to the entire package-- both the prosthetic teeth (the overdenture) and the prosthetic roots (implants). Other solutions typically only make reference to either the denture or the implant. The name references the specific number of implants used to anchor a full arch overdenture into place: a full arch denture goes all on four dental implants into the lower jaw and a separate full arch denture goes all on four into the top. The alternative is all-on-six on the bottom and all-on-six dental implants on top.
Fixed Zirconia Bridge Dentures
These are the lowest profile option. Zirconia does not stain. It doesn’t have any micropores which means no bacteria accumulation over time. They are the strongest material available for teeth and you can make teeth as thin as real teeth and eliminate the need for fake gums completely. However, most patients do not have the bone thickness necessary, and will still require some false gums. As you can guess this type of denture is the most expensive, and because they are as hard and heavy as a rock, you have to have enough bone to support the weight and strength in the jawbone. Other materials will absorb some of the impacts of a biting, whereas zirconia will essentially pass all the impact of chewing into the jawbone, potentially creating issues down the road.
Fixed Hybrid Bridge Dentures
Hybrid dentures are a catch-all for-all other types of fixed bridge dental implant - denture packages. These are the most common non-removable dentures for either the upper or lower jaw, and many cases are indistinguishable from a standard All on 4 or all on 6 denture. These can allow for a full set of 28 teeth, whereas all on four can only support 20 teeth. The Hybrid name comes from it being a custom solution that is a combination of its metal frame, acrylic or composite gums, and false teeth made of a resin or other composite. They can include anywhere from 4 to 8 implants, and the result is a very strong base, that is flexible enough to avoid breaking and light enough to avoid bone loss. As the number of implants increases, the thickness of the gums decreases. This is because the bridge between implants is decreasing. Therefore less support from the structure inside the gums is needed. This option not only reduces the gum size and increases the number of teeth versus the All on 4, but it eliminates the palate and thick gums like the one used for the removable option, making eating more enjoyable.
Single Tooth Implant Denture
In lieu of doing a root canal with a cap, or a dental bridge as a solution for a missing tooth. An implant can be done for a single tooth. In the event that other teeth are lost in the future. This implant can be re-purposed for a full denture. A single tooth implant can last a lifetime, potentially becoming a much better investment than a root-canal. Especially if the root canal fails, resulting in the need to also invest in a dental implant at a later date.
Teeth in a Day (Immediate Load Dental Implants)
Also called "Same Day Implants." Teeth in a Day are the same removable and fixed denture package options described above, but with the one difference of how fast you get them. You must qualify by having enough natural jawbone to allow placement of a temporary tooth or full denture immediately on the new prosthetic roots in just one visit. This is in contrast to the typical time-frame of weeks from the initial surgery to the time your gums have healed and the prosthetic teeth are complete and ready to be added. This is clearly something anybody would prefer. Which is why we offer a free consultation to determine whether you might be a candidate.
(End of Dental Implant - Denture Packages)
Types of Dental Implants
Implants will always include a denture. And because they will always be a part of a denture-implant package, we want you to know the types of implants that exist and what your options are.
Implants along with an abutment are the base upon which a denture or prosthetic tooth sits. These prosthetic dental roots mimic real roots and look and feel so natural that you won't notice the difference from your real teeth. With implants, people are rediscovering the comfort and confidence to eat and live like they used to. For some they feel an enormous amount of relief and confidence because they can finally relax when speaking, smiling, and interacting with others again.
Endosteal Implants (into the jawbone)
These are the most common types of implants. Usually made of titanium they are shaped like screws or cylinders, blades, or a ramus frame, all of which are placed into the jawbone.
Root Form Implant
These can be in the form of screws or cylinders. They are designed to mimic a tooth root and take into account directional load distribution.
Mini Dental Implants (MDIs)
Mini dental implants are a root-form implant that can be placed in just one visit. They are about the diameter of a toothpick and are often used to stabilize a full-arch removable denture. A great low-cost and less-invasive option that provides immediate stability. In some cases, MDI's are your only option. For example, where full size implants are too thick for a thin jaw bone, this less invasive implant is required because the diameter of a traditional dental implant is simply to wide.
Blade Implants | Plate Implants
A thin metal plate is inserted into the bone providing more surface area to retain a denture. After an x-ray of your jawbone a denture specialist will determine whether adding additional surface area to create additional strength is necessary for your unique jawbone anatomy.
Ramus Frame Implant
These are larger metal frames that might be the right choice for patients that have difficulty chewing food, have developed sore spots from adhesive based dentures, and find removable dentures impossible to wear for long periods of time. They are supported at the back of the jaw and by the middle part of the front jaw. If you have had significant bone loss, these can transform your face making you look younger by restoring your teeth in a way that it appears there has been no bone loss. A patient's existing dentures can be modified to be secured to the frame, reducing cost and creating an extremely secure bite that feels solid and natural.
Subperiosteal Implants (on top of the jawbone)
This type of implant is sub (below) the perio (gums), but does not penetrate into the jawbone. This type of implant is an option for a patient that can’t or does not want to undergo a bone augmentation or bone graft.
Transosteal Implants (through the jawbone)
This is the least common type of implant. And is no longer a recommended except in rare cases.
Intramucosal Implants (divots into bone)
These implants have a mushroom or ball shaped top that can be snapped into and out of shallow divots that have been created into any bone, not just the jawbones. After the divots have been created the mucosa then heals over the divots, leaving an accessible "pocket" that intramucosal implants can snap into. These are often created along the roof of your mouth or anywhere the prosthodontist sees the highest likelihood for success. This type of implant is uncommon, but they have been around for a long time for a reason, because they can be a very economical way to get you the extra support you have been wanting for your removable dentures.
Dental Implant Materials
Let's dig deeper into the material make up of what you are surgically placing into your mouth. There are more than a dozen properties to consider when comparing different materials for implants. Including corrosion resistance, surface tension, ductility, yield strength and modulus of elasticity. By choosing Natural Fit we take extra precaution to use the best possible materials given your unique situation. There are three basic material categories that you can ask your prosthodontist about.
Metals
All types of metals used in implants today are either biotolerant or bioinert. The most popular is Titanium which is extremely strong, is bioinert, but can cause allergic reaction in 4% of the population, and like all metals it will corrode over time. For som a Stainless, or Stainless Steel + Carbon Compound, Cobalt Chromium, or Vitallium.
Ceramics (Metal-Free Implants)
Commonly believed to be more tissue friendly than titanium, zirconia won’t corrode and is the only ceramic material strong enough to be an implant. The abutment and implant can be one piece instead of two pieces, thereby eliminating a connection point that is known for unwanted bacteria growth, which can contribute to healthier gums. Zirconia is also all white and therefore has a slight aesthetic advantage as well. Zirconia is also used to cover metallic dentures. One other unique advantage is zirconia can be plasma sprayed or coated to produce bio-active surface thereby stimulating the formation of bone between the implant and jawbone.
Polymers
Polymers have many desirable attributes, but should be considered the last option. Research and innovation is continuing and a polymer-ceramic blends hold a lot of promise for the future. For now they act mostly as a complementary material that can aid in stress distribution when chewing.
Dental Implant Surfaces
A critical component to a successful implant is the surface of the implant. The two primary things to consider are the health and strength of the implant. The strength comes from successful integration with the bone. This is when the body produces bone to fill in any micro-gaps between an implant and the bone, creating the tight fit necessary to last a lifetime. The second thing is the health and prevention of infection. There are several options for surfaces that depending on your bone, may be the right choice to give you the highest chance of creating a life-long integration.
Smooth Dental Implants
A smooth surface helps prevent microbial plaque from building up. So a Cylinder dental implant may be the best option if this is a primary concern.
Machined Dental Implants
A smooth surface helps prevent microbial plaque from building up a smooth surface.
Textured Dental Implants
Creating a textured screw allows for more surface area that the bone can adhere to, with the idea of greater osseointegration between the implant and the bone.
Coated Dental Implants
The implant is coated with a porous material. Coating materials include titanium and hydroxyapatite. Another coating is an artificial soft tissue that completely encapsulates the implant, so that when placed into the jaw it is between the implant and the bone. The idea is to mimic the soft tissue interface that naturally exists been a natural root and the jawbone. Thereby creating better integration
A prosthodontist and oral surgeon team of specialists will work together to construct and place your dental implants
Natural Fit Dentures & Denture Care Ogden-Layton
466 N Main St Ste 101
Clearfield, UT 84015
(801) 252-5552