Implant retained dentures are different from traditional dentures in that they are fixed to the gum as opposed to being movable. They are made from high impact acrylic making them hard wearing.
Implant retained dentures are more suitable for those who no longer have any natural teeth but have sufficient bone in the jaw to support the implants. Patients in this situation are known as endentulous.
Traditional dentures rest on the gum without any support.
Advantages of Implant Retained Dentures
There are several advantages to getting a fixed type of denture. For instance, while they are described as fixed, they can be removed when necessary – for cleaning and such like.
While implant retained dentures wear out with age, they are easily replaced at low cost. Similarly, for anyone considering other options, this type of denture costs considerably less than full arch implant bridge restoration.
Moreover, they are cheaper than the ‘All-On-Four’ implant restorations and less troublesome. The latter type of implants can sometimes break down simply because of the forces put upon the implants by chewing and eating.
Implant retained dentures on the other hand absorb these stresses or rather the gum is able to absorb these natural stresses, leaving the implant in place.
Types of Implant Retained Dentures
There are two types currently available. One is called Bar-retained dentures and the other Ball-retained dentures.
The first involves a thin bar of metal being attached to the line of the jaw holding between 2 and 5 implants at once. The denture is slipped over the bar and securely attached by clips.
The ball-retained dentures also called stud-attachment dentures are fixed in place by two different attachments one often referred to as the male attachment; the other the female attachment.
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