Dental Implants
Regular dentures rest on the gums and are held by suction and fit, so they can loosen over time as the jawbone shrinks. Implant-supported dentures attach to dental implants in the jaw, either snapping on and off (an overdenture) or fixed in place as a full-arch bridge. Implant support gives much better stability and chewing, and helps reduce bone loss under the denture, at a higher upfront cost.
Key takeaways
- Loose lower dentures are one of the most common problems implants solve.
- A two-implant lower overdenture is widely recognized as a first-choice standard of care for people with no lower teeth.
- Fixed full-arch options, such as a bridge on four implants, stay in the mouth and are cleaned in place.
- Conventional dentures remain a good choice for some patients, and pre-prosthetic surgery can improve their fit.
Three Main Options Compared
| Regular denture | Snap-in implant overdenture | Fixed full-arch implant bridge | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How it stays in | Suction, fit, and adhesive | Clips onto 2 to 4 implants or a bar | Screwed or fixed onto implants |
| Removable by you | Yes | Yes, for cleaning | No, removed only by your dentist |
| Stability when chewing | Can shift, especially lower dentures | Much more stable | Most stable, closest to natural teeth |
| Palate covered (upper) | Usually | Often can be reduced | No |
| Bone preservation | Bone continues to shrink | Helps preserve bone around implants | Helps preserve bone around implants |
| Surgery required | No, unless pre-prosthetic surgery is needed | Yes, implant placement | Yes, implant placement |
| Relative cost | Lowest | Moderate | Highest |
Why Regular Dentures Loosen Over Time
When teeth are lost, the bone that held their roots is no longer stimulated and gradually shrinks. A denture that fit well at first can become loose, cause sore spots, and need frequent relining. This is often most noticeable with lower dentures, which have less surface area and a moving tongue underneath. Our page on jaw bone health explains why teeth, or implants, help maintain bone.
Snap-In Overdentures
An overdenture has attachments on its underside that clip onto implants or onto a bar connecting the implants. You remove it to clean it and the implants, usually each night. For the lower jaw, the McGill consensus statement on overdentures concluded that a two-implant overdenture should be considered a first-choice standard of care for people with no lower teeth, because it markedly improves stability and satisfaction compared with a conventional denture.
Fixed Full-Arch Bridges And The Bar Attachment Denture
A fixed full-arch bridge is supported by several implants and stays in your mouth. Our Bar Attachment Denture treatment replaces a full arch with a bridge supported by four implants, with two implants often angled to make the most of the available bone and reduce the need for grafting. In selected situations, temporary teeth can be attached on the day of surgery, with the final bridge placed by your dentist after healing.
Fixed options feel the most like natural teeth. They require careful cleaning under the bridge with floss threaders or a water flosser, and regular professional maintenance.
Who Is A Good Candidate?
You may be a candidate for implant-supported dentures if you:
- Have a loose or uncomfortable denture
- Are about to lose your remaining teeth and want a stable replacement
- Are in reasonable general health for minor oral surgery
- Have enough bone, or are willing to have bone grafting if needed
Smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, and some medications can affect implant healing and are reviewed at your consultation. 3D imaging is used to assess bone and plan implant positions.
When Conventional Dentures Are Still The Right Choice
Implants are not the right answer for everyone. Cost, health conditions, or personal preference may make a conventional denture the better option. If your ridges are sharp or uneven, pre-prosthetic surgery can smooth and reshape the bone and gums so a denture fits more comfortably. An existing denture can sometimes be converted to an overdenture later, once implants are placed.
What Does Treatment Involve?
- Consultation, examination, and imaging with the oral surgeon.
- Planning with your restorative dentist or prosthodontist.
- Extractions and grafting, if needed.
- Implant placement, often with IV sedation for comfort.
- Healing, with a temporary denture or same-day temporary teeth in selected cases.
- Final overdenture or bridge made by your dentist.
Cost depends on the number of implants and the type of prosthesis. See dental implant cost in Ontario for what affects fees and insurance coverage.
Implant-Supported Dentures In Waterloo, Kitchener, And Cambridge
Our office at 96 Union Street East in Waterloo provides implant placement, the Bar Attachment Denture, and pre-prosthetic surgery for denture wearers from Waterloo, Kitchener, Cambridge, Guelph, and Stratford, working with your dentist or denturist on the final teeth. In-office 3D imaging helps plan implant positions for the most stable result. Call +1 (519)-743-7811 or ask your dentist to send a referral.
Sources
- Feine JS, Carlsson GE, Awad MA, et al. The McGill consensus statement on overdentures. Gerodontology, 2002.
- Bar Attachment Denture and pre-prosthetic surgery, Dr. Kevin J. McCann Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.
FAQ
How Many Implants Do I Need For A Denture?
A lower snap-in overdenture is often supported by two implants. Upper overdentures and fixed full-arch bridges usually need four or more implants. Your surgeon recommends a number based on bone and bite.
Do Implant-Supported Dentures Feel Like Real Teeth?
Fixed full-arch bridges feel the closest to natural teeth. Snap-in overdentures are much more stable than regular dentures, though they are still removed for cleaning.
Can My Existing Denture Be Used With Implants?
Sometimes. A well-fitting denture may be modified with attachments to snap onto new implants. Your dentist will assess whether your current denture is suitable.
How Long Do Implant-Supported Dentures Last?
Implants themselves can last many years with good care. The denture or bridge teeth wear over time and may need repair, relining, or replacement, and attachments on overdentures are replaced periodically.
Is The Surgery Painful?
Implant placement is done with local anesthetic, and IV sedation or general anesthesia is available. Most patients manage discomfort afterward with prescribed or recommended medication for a few days.
This article is general patient education and does not replace an examination, diagnosis, or the written instructions from your own surgeon or dentist. If you have heavy bleeding, trouble breathing or swallowing, or rapidly spreading swelling, call the office or go to the nearest emergency department.