There are numerous removable implant supported prosthetics, including full and partial dentures, with numerous retention systems available.
Most commonly, full dentures require improvement in retention and stability, which in turn improves the quality of life of elderly patients. Using ball bearings, such a full denture is much more secure, stable and comfortable. In a lower removable implant supported denture 2 implants usually suffice The following depicts the procedure:
- Frist visit – the dentist uncovers the implants by incising the gingiva, in order to place healing caps for soft tissue/gingiva shaping.
- Second visit – once the gingiva is shaped after approximately 14 days of wearing healing caps, the dentist attaches ball bearings and takes an impression. At this point, the laboratory technician prepares an overdenture
- Third visit – the dentist adjusts and delivers the denture to the patients.
Implant prosthodontics – Contemporary implant prosthetics have been an evolving dental discipline for over 50 years. The basic material comprising an implant is titanium (due to its biocompatibility-which the body doesn’t reject) or, increasingly more often, zirconium. Implant supported restorations allow for a lasting esthetic effect and correction of stomatognatic function. However, existing implants do not ideally mimic natural teeth. This most physiologic way of restoring missing teeth, allows the elimination of discomfort often present with removable dentures. Moreover, implants allow excellent support for prosthetic restorations, improving esthetics and comfort. Implant prosthetics comprises of surgical portion involving implantation and prosthetic portion or tooth restoration on said implant. The procedure involves implant placement in whole oral cavity or one that replaces just one missing tooth.
Benefits of implants
- Closest and most physiologic way to restore missing teeth. Implant acts as the root and prosthetic restoration as the clinical crown of the tooth
- Excellent esthetics and functionality, unrestricted smile and function of stomatognatic system
- Eliminates the need to prepare/cut down neighboring teeth
- Eliminates discomfort common to removable dentures which in turn cause unfavorable side effects in tissue supporting dentures
- Improves or avoids self confidence issues and positively benefits overall psychological health which may suffer as teeth are lost, especially in elderly patients
