Implant Supported Over-dentures & Bridges

In cases where a large number of all of a patient’s teeth have been lost or need to be replaced, an over-denture or full arch bridge may be a more practical and economical solution to individual implants. Both can be supported by a varying number of implants, depending on the condition of the bone and gum and other factors.

Implant-Supported Removable Over-dentures

An implant over-denture is a denture that is held in place by dental implants that have been surgically implanted into your jawbone. The implant provides the denture with excellent stability and support and offers a number of advantages over traditional dentures:

• The dental implants preserve and stimulate bone and prevent deterioration that causes jaws to shrink and facial features to change
• Over-dentures prevent facial contour changes that lead to premature wrinkles and aging.
• Over-dentures will allow you to chew your food better and speak more clearly.
• Denture creams and adhesives are no longer needed with denture implants.
• Types of Over-dentures
• There are three main types of over-dentures:

Implant-Retained, Gum Supported

With this treatment, the over-denture rests directly on your gums and is attached to implants placed into your upper and/or lower jaw. The overdenture, which is removable, is secured to your implants through attachments fixed into the denture.

Bar-Retained, Implant Supported

With this treatment, the overdenture is connected to attachments on a metal bar that is in turn connected to implants surgically placed into your upper and/or lower jaw. The overdenture, which is removable, is secured to the bar through attachments fixed into the denture.

Fixed, Implant Supported

With this treatment, the overdenture is secured directly to implants placed into your upper and/or lower jaw. The overdenture is only removable by a dentist. This option gives the closest resemblance to natural teeth and gums.

Implant-Supported Full-Arch Metal Ceramic Bridge (All-On-4,6 or 8)
Commonly known as All-on-4, 6, or 8 dental implants, a full arch bridge is used when all teeth are lost in the upper or lower jaw. The All-on-4 is a solution that has been developed to maximize the use of available bone and is suitable for almost all patients at all ages and stages of teeth loss and where bone tissue has decayed.

The All-on-4 system is based on fastening 4, 6, or 8 implants in very specific locations to create a three-dimensional trapezoid force that enables the attachment of a full arch metal-ceramic bridge containing 12 or 14 teeth.

A metal-ceramic bridge is made of a metal substructure that supports ceramic teeth. This is the same material that is used for making conventional crowns. A metal-ceramic implant-supported bridge is the best appliance available today for replacing all teeth in the jaw. Such bridges combine excellent aesthetics with good strength allowing them to provide the patient with years of trouble-free service.

Ao4-02
All on 4 is suitable for patients that are lacking all of the teeth or where all of the teeth must be extracted. In cases when the existing bone matter is insufficient in quantity or quality, 6 or 8 implants (instead of 4) may be required to better distribute the pressure between the points and prevent future problems. The implants are loaded (attached to the bridge) on the same day they are implanted, making this a same-day procedure.