Implant supported dentures might be of interest if you currently wear full dentures and struggle with keeping them in place. Even if your dentures are relatively stable, we find many of our patients at our Leeds surgery are concerned that they may move about, especially in social situations. This embarrassment and worry over wearing full dentures can stop some people from living life to the full, something that isn’t a concern to people wearing implant supported dentures that are held securely in place.

What are Implant Supported Dentures?

Implant supported dentures are full dentures that are attached to implants in the mouth which support them and hold them firmly in place. This is quite different from an ordinary denture which is supported by the gums. Dental implant Leeds supported or implant retained dentures are an excellent solution for anyone who has lost all their teeth in the upper or lower jaw, but who has sufficient bone to support several implants. These implants are quite different from those that support crowns and bridges as they have special attachments that allow the dentures to snap into place.

This system is usually recommended by Dr David Brown and other dentists in our Leeds surgery to replace lower full dentures. The reason for this is that lower dentures tend to be much less stable than upper dentures. Upper dentures have a full acrylic palate that helps give good retention whereas lower dentures rely on just the bony ridge that used to support the teeth for retention. Over the course of time this bony ridge is gradually reabsorbed and becomes flatter, making it more and more difficult for a lower denture to be firmly retained.

What Is the Process for Having Implant Retained Dentures?

The process for having implant retained dentures is very similar to having any type of implant. You’ll need to book a consultation with our dentist Leeds City Dentalcare to find out if you are suitable for this type of treatment. The implants used for retaining dentures are generally placed towards the front of the mouth, simply because there’s more bone in this area than at the back of the jaw. It’s also a good area to place the implants as there are fewer nerves that may interfere with placement. It might be necessary to have a bone graft if you don’t have sufficient bone in the required area.

The next stage is to plan the implant placement and to decide on the type of attachments that will be used to retain your denture. Sometimes dentures are retained with a thin metal bar that is attached to several implants, and the denture then fits securely over the bar. Another choice is to use a type of ball and socket system, where the sockets are located in the denture and fit securely over ball attachments on the implants. The exact timeframe for placing the implants and the finished implant supported denture will vary from case to case, as some people will be able to have it fitted more quickly than others. There’s no need to worry that you will be left without teeth at this time, as you will be supplied with a temporary denture after the implants are placed which can be used until your implant supported denture is ready to be fitted.

Caring For Your Implant Supported Denture

The dental team at Leeds City Dentalcare will give you lots of advice on looking after your new implant supported denture. You’ll need to remove it every day to clean it thoroughly in much the same way you would an ordinary full denture. You should leave it out of your mouth overnight. If you think this might be a problem then ask Dr David S Brown or another of our dentists whether you would be suitable to have an implant supported bridge instead, that can be firmly fixed in place and which cannot be removed.