An implant-supported denture is a type of overdenture that is supported by and attached to implants. A regular denture rests on the gums, and is not supported by implants.
An implant-supported denture is used when a person doesn't have any teeth in the jaw, but has enough bone in the jaw to support implants. Traditional dentures typically move around and shift in the mouth and are accompanied by an uncomfortable plastic bottom/top plate. An implant supported denture provides the same functionality without the annoyance of shifting and discomfort of traditional dentures.
A typical candidate for the dentures over implants ideally is missing all of their top or bottom teeth, or if they are using traditional dentures.
It is very important that your traditional dentures fit you perfectly. If they are even slightly too small or big they will cause discomfort, which will transition into sore and swelling in the mouth and cause the bone supporting the dentures to erode slowly over time.
Traditional dentures make it hard to eat different kinds of foods such as carrots and apples, but dentures over implants are a solution to these problems. These foods can be eaten without a hassle.
Traditional dentures are also accompanied with an alarming rate of 70% bone that is lost within the first few years of use. This is because there is nothing to stimulate the jaw bone with traditional dentures, and thus the bone will be slowly resorbed by the body. Many patients come back years later to have their traditional dentures refitted, which is only compensating for the bone loss that has occurred. With dentures over implants, the amount of bone loss is significantly reduced, the need for resizing is eliminated while still providing continuous comfort and functionality with little interference with everyday life.
The denture over implants procedure consequentially requires enough bone to support an implant. If too much bone loss has occurred, a bone grafting procedure will need to be done first. Upper dentures will typically need four implants done on the maxillary (upper jaw) bone, and lower dentures will typically need two implants done on the mandibular (lower jaw) bone. This is a major dental procedure and thus requires up to a 20-week healing time. After the bone has healed, it is time for your dentures to be fitted and put in place. The only way to remove your dentures is if your dentist takes them off.
As with any dental modality, your denture over implants can last up to an entire lifetime if they are cared for properly.