At Smile Design Implant Centers, a denture retention implant or an implant overdenture is a dental implant designed to replace a missing tooth. In addition to replacing the tooth, the dental implant will also hold your denture in place.

Denture retention implants are secured into the bone underneath your denture. The implant has minor grooves that line up with your denture, allowing the denture to snap into place.

Types of Denture Retention Implants

There are two types of implant overdentures: ball-retained and bar-retained. A ball-retained implant denture has a ball-shaped attachment that snaps on and off the implant. A bar-retained implant denture has a bar-shaped attachment that clips onto the implant. Both types are easy to remove for cleaning.

Denture Retention Implants vs. Traditional Dentures

Traditional dentures are removable and function primarily as replacements for missing teeth. They rely on suction or adhesive to stay in place to stay securely in place.

Traditional dentures are uncomfortable, and patients often find that they move around. They also do not look or feel natural. Many patients also struggle with salivation, and a lisp may develop over time.

On the other hand, implant overdentures are securely fixed, so they always stay in place. They are also customized to look and feel natural and do not interfere with your speech.

How Are Implant Overdentures Placed?

Our dentist will carefully place the implant into the jawbone. This procedure is commonly performed in the office under local anesthesia. Once they place the implant, it will need to heal. The exact amount of time varies based on the patient’s overall health, but it can take anywhere from three to six months to heal. During this time, the jawbone will fuse with the implant, creating a stable base for the denture.

Our dentist will monitor the healing to ensure the implant has successfully fused with the jawbone. They can also take impressions of the patient’s teeth to design a denture that fits into the implant. They will send the mold to a dental lab, where your denture will be created. Once the final denture is ready, our dentist will secure the denture to the implant.

The Benefits of Implant Overdentures

Implant overdentures are a permanent solution to tooth loss. In addition to providing full chewing function, these implants also prevent bone loss in the jaw. Traditional dentures do not prevent bone loss, making them a poor long-term solution for tooth loss. Denture retention implants are superior to conventional dentures because they are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

For the best dental care tailored to your needs, visit Smile Design Implant Centers at 748 South Meadows Parkway #A8, Reno, NV 89521, or call (775) 924-1871.