When a person loses their teeth, the jawbone tends to shrink and reshape over time, which causes regular dentures to become unstable within the dental arch. As a result this makes it difficult for the denture to fit comfortably or function properly.
With this in mind, we offer a better way to stabilize these dentures. An overdenture is a dental appliance made of acrylic that basically sits on top or is attached to remaining tooth structures or dental implants present in the mouth. Overdentures can be complete or partial, depending on the patient’s condition. This is a solution that has introduced functional and aesthetic benefits for patients.
When Are Overdentures Used?
Artificial teeth can be used to replace single, multiple, or a complete set of teeth. Typically, people with tooth loss conditions have complete or partial dentures, but may face a decline in stability and functionality. These factors have a negative impact on their ability to chew or speak properly, lowering their confidence and taking a toll on their quality of life.
Overdentures are an option that provide the stability needed for the dentures to fit and stay in the mouth to work properly.
How Do Overdentures Work?
Overdentures are fixed and more stable, but just like other dentures, they’re still removable in order to be cleaned and adjusted. In an initial evaluation with your dentist, X-rays are taken to identify and decide what needs to be done. Overdentures can be placed over remaining teeth, commonly supported by the canine, or over dental implants:
- Over teeth — One of the main reasons to choose this approach is that it usually doesn’t require tooth extraction; the patient can still keep some of their natural teeth. In this case, the canine teeth of both the upper or lower jaw undergo root canal treatment, followed by a connection made with a metal bar or individual attachment that fits into the base of the overdenture.
- Over dental implants — If the patient has no teeth remaining, dental implants can be used to support the overdentures. The procedure only varies depending on the implant that needs to be placed. Once this is done, the connection between the implant and the overdenture is made using a metal bar or individual attachment.
At Caring Dental of Spotswood, we work with patients in the Spotswood, NJ area to find the best solutions for their particular dental needs. Please call our office to schedule an appointment for a consultation.