Patients who are missing all the teeth in their upper or lower jaw are often good candidates for a bar-retained overdenture. The overdenture uses strategically placed dental implants as its foundation and is a great treatment option which produces excellent results.
Overdentures work by restoring not only the function of missing teeth but also help restore the patient’s smile. Missing teeth are effectively replaced and the overdenture gives patients improved function required for routine activities such as speaking and eating. One major benefit associated with implant supported overdentures is that they offer an incredibly strong base. This is also combined with the ability to easily remove the dentures as needed for cleaning and maintenance. Multiple visits to the dentist will be necessary in order to design the overdenture, place the implants, and ensure a good fit, but the final product will be well worth the time investment.
A bar retained overdenture is a removable device containing prosthetic teeth. The overdenture sits on a base which is created from a pink resin material and fits snugly over the gums. Clips on the base of the device securely attach to a metal bar which then connects to the implants. Implants are surgically placed in the jawbone and serve as the missing tooth’s artificial roots.
Dental implants provide patients a strong and secure foundation for the dentures. They also give patients the ability to eat and speak without any problems. Another benefit of the implants is that they prevent bone resorption through stimulation of the jawbone when chewing. The lack of stimulation with tooth loss results in bone loss over time.
The initial step of the procedure will involve the dentist obtaining an impression of the treatment area. This impression is used to create the temporary dentures. When the temporary dentures are complete, the dentist takes diagnostic images of the area. The diagnostic images are used to create a treatment plan for strategically placing the dental implants.
During the next step of the process, the dental implants are surgically placed into the jaw. The dentist uses special healing caps on the implants while they heal. The dentist will evaluate the area during follow up appointments to ensure it is healing properly. Once the mouth has healed completely, the patient can proceed to the next phase of treatment. Temporary dentures are worn at this time to ensure the patient continuously has teeth.
After the implants heal, the doctor obtains updated impressions of the mouth. These impressions are used to design and create the support bar and final overdenture.
The dentist will continuously evaluate the device to ensure it properly fits and to ensure the patient has good alignment of their bite. Numerous appointments are typically required in order to achieve a perfect fit and the desired results. Following the completion of all necessary adjustments, the support bar is then fixed into place and the overdenture is attached to the bar. The bar retained overdenture is now complete and the patient has a strong and secure removable restoration. The overdenture effectively restores the appearance and function of the patient’s missing teeth. This aids in restoring their confidence and allowing them to perform routine functions like eating and speaking without any concerns.