Implant Supported Over Denture

Conventional dentures are used when all teeth are lost. Dentures on the upper jaw are usaully quite stable and comfortable. Dentures on the lower jaws, on the other hand, can be quite uncomfortable and painful. The upper jaw provides large enough area to support a denture. The lower jaw is much smaller; so the pressure per unit area is much greater than that of the upper jaw. On top of that, the lower denture is always knocked around by the tongue, adding to the instability of the lower denture. The instability of the lower denture only increases with time.

Dental implants can be used to anchor and support the lower denture. Two dental implants can be placed in the lower jaw and attachments can be used to anchor the lower denture. Some of the pressure can also be transferred to the dental implants, thereby relieving pressure and pain on the gum over the lower jaw. Dental implants, in this case, are used not to be restored with crowns, but as anchors for the lower denture. Upper dentures are usually stable enough and do not require dental implants for anchoring. Some people can not tolerate covering the palate (the roof of the mouth) and require dental implants so that the palate is not covered.