Overdentures are dentures secured by dental implants.

Dental implants are Titanium screws that are placed in the upper or lower jaw bone and secure the overdenture so that it does not fall out of the mouth.

Conventional dentures stay in the mouth by three mechanisms:

1. Suction: the denture stays in place by suction to the upper or lower gums.
2. Muscle contraction: the cheek muscles keep the denture in place by constant contraction. Sort of like lifting weights, but never letting go of the weights.
3. Dental adhesives such as Polygrip or Sea-Bond: the adhesive must be applied to the dentures several times per day.

Also, conventional dentures push down on the gums. If a seed or other food gets between the denture and the gums, the patient can develop severe pain. This can be compared to a stone in your shoe.

Chewing becomes nonpainful

Moreover, with dental implants, all of the problems listed above are solved. As the patient bites down, the biting force is directed to the implants, not the gums, thereby making chewing nonpainful. The patient can also bite with more force without fear that the denture will dislodge. The overdenture ensures that the dentures stay in place and do not move and food does not get caught between the denture and gums.

Dr. Slavin has extensive experience with overdentures

At the Good Samaritan Dental Institute, Dr. Slavin has extensive experience in dental implant placement for overdentures. Many cases are completed in one day, with the patient having their nonrestorable teeth removed and replaced with implant-supported removable overdentures or implant retained fixed bridges the same day. These cases are typically accomplished in the office with IV sedation or as an outpatient in the outpatient surgery center with the patient asleep, whichever is the most comfortable choice for the patient.

See Also: The Importance Of 3D Dental Implant Imaging, Dental Implant Surgery