Denture Stabilization
Denture stabilization is a dental implant procedure in which dental implants are surgically placed in the bones of the jaw to support a full denture. Removable dentures are an affordable way to replace one or both full rows of missing teeth, but they are renowned for being uncomfortable, irritating the gum tissue and interfering with the wearer’s ability to eat and speak comfortably. Stabilized dentures are dentures that attach to the dental implants in the jaw, snapping onto the implants. In many cases, dental practitioners can use dental implants to support a person’s existing denture, helping to secure it and increasing its stability and functionality. Retrofitting an existing denture to accommodate dental implants can be a cost-effective way to replace one or both rows of missing teeth. Denture stabilization provides the affordability of dentures while eliminating the inconvenience and discomfort so often associated with these devices. A stabilized, removable overdenture is removed at least once daily, usually overnight, and cleaned, and the wearer must practice good oral hygiene to keep the inside of the mouth healthy, brushing the gums and around the denture attachment apparatus. For many patients, stabilized dentures can be an excellent compromise between the discomfort of removable dentures and the expense of a full set of new implant-supported crowns, providing security and stability at a more affordable price point.
Patients who are missing one tooth have a variety of affordable options for dental restoration. When an entire row of teeth is missing, however, or if both the upper and lower rows are missing, available restoration options become increasingly costly. While dentures are one of the most affordable restoration options for multiple missing teeth, many patients find them uncomfortable and inconvenient. The sticky adhesive that holds removable dentures in place tastes unpleasant, interfering with the ability to taste food, and the dentures themselves slip and rub, making it difficult to eat, much less enjoy, food. Overall health declines as the patient loses interest in nutritional variety and eats only foods that are soft and easy to chew. Without roots in the bones of the jaw, the bone begins to resorb, and the jaw diminishes in size, causing the lower face to appear sunken and sagging. As the jaw changes shape, the denture becomes ill-fitting, slipping more and causing greater discomfort. The pressure exerted on the jaw by removable dentures accelerates the loss of bone in the jaw as well, which adversely affects the fit of the dentures; eventually, no denture can be made to fit properly when the jaw has degraded extensively.
Dental implants are tiny screw-like cylinders, usually made of titanium, that are surgically implanted into the jaw. As the bone heals around the implant, the implant and the bone fuse together, in a process that is called osseointegration. The implant then stimulates the vitality and growth of the bone tissue, keeping the bone healthy and strong. The two most commonly used types of implant-supported overdentures are ball-retained dentures and bar-retained dentures. Ball-retained dentures, which are also called stud-attachment dentures, use implants that have spherical attachments affixed to their tips. These attachments snap into a corresponding socket on the denture. Bar-retained dentures use several implants to support a metal bar; the denture is clipped onto this metal bar and thereby affixed to the jaw.
A dental stabilization procedure can restore a patient’s ability to chew, improving their digestion and their overall health. It is easier to speak articulately when the dentures are stabilized, and they are considerably more comfortable than traditional dentures. Stabilized dentures are easy to clean and can help patients maintain the health of the oral cavity, reducing the irritation and inflammation that can be caused by traditional dentures. To stabilize dentures, first, the dentist will examine your existing dentures to make sure that they are suitable for the procedure and in good condition. Then, the dentist places between two and six implants into each arch where restorations are needed, retrofitting your existing denture with attachments that will hold the denture securely to the implants, or providing a new denture that works with the implants. Your dentures will remain stable and in place, providing you with greater chewing power and comfort.
You may be a good candidate for stabilized dentures if you are missing all of your upper and/or lower teeth and have a sufficient amount of jawbone to support dental implants. In some cases, when there isn’t sufficient bone to support implants, dentists can perform bone graft surgery to increase the amount of healthy bone. The procedure usually requires two separate surgical procedures spaced several months apart. In the first procedure, the implants are secured into the bones of the jaw. They are then allowed to heal, and they must fully heal before they can safely support the force exerted by chewing. You may receive a temporary denture at this time. Once the implants have healed, you will return to the dentist’s office, where they will expose the tops of the implants, affix the denture attachments to the implants, and adjust your overdenture so it fits perfectly onto the implant attachments.
Keeping your denture clean will help prolong its life and ensure its success. Your dentist will talk you through the proper care and cleaning recommended for your denture, which requires special non-abrasive cleaning solutions that won’t scratch the surfaces of the teeth; you should not use regular toothpaste to clean your denture. If there are o-rings that hold your dentures onto the implant abutments, be sure to scrub these o-rings gently and thoroughly. If there are any visible food particles or debris on the denture, clean this matter off and thoroughly rinse the denture. Clean the inside of the mouth with a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste, taking care to brush the gums and tongue, the roof of the mouth, and the implant abutments. Some patients prefer to use a water flosser to flush away any debris that may remain in the mouth and surrounding the implant. While it is okay to sleep with the overdenture in place occasionally, it must be cleaned daily, and it should be soaked in a water-filled denture container if it is taken out overnight. With the right care, an implant-supported overdenture can provide patients with an affordable, comfortable, and stable dental restoration option for people who are missing one or both full rows of teeth.