The Reasons for Overdentures
In some cases, a patient can be steered toward or tempted by the prospect of completely removable dentures. While they are sometimes necessary, removable dentures should definitely be viewed as a last resort. While Sharp Smile Center does offer removable dentures, there may be a better option.
Even the best-made dentures have certain inherent problems. They rest on movable tissue, so they can never be firmly fixed. Also, the upper denture has to cover the palate, which interferes some with the taste and enjoyment of food. And, once the teeth are removed, your body begins to resorb the jaw bone to use those minerals elsewhere in the body. This causes a progressive shrinking of the jaw. After about twenty years, there may be little or no jawbone left, and it can become impossible to fit you with a comfortable and secure denture.
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Most of the problems that a patient faces with the use of completely removable dentures can be avoided with the use of implant-supported overdentures. There are many ways to design these overdentures. They can be made to snap on over attachments implanted in the jawbone, as pictured at left, or the dentures can be screwed onto the implants.
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Either way, they stabilize the denture and prevent the bone resorption mentioned above.
Dr. Sharp has extensive training and experience in placing implant overdentures. He is a graduate of the Misch Institute, and is a member of the International College of Oral Implantologists. He has placed a large number of dental implants over the years. To find out if you are a candidate for implant overdentures, please give us a call, or visit our make an appointment page.
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