I am writing this blog because of some confusion I feel the patients have about the implant retained overdenture. Some patients expect that the implant retained overdenture to feel or behave like natural teeth or permanent/fixed bridges. It is not the case, because the implant retained overdenture(as the name says it), is a denture. It is just a better denture because it is retained and stabilized by implants.
Denture stabilized and retained by dental implants
Below are the couple expectations points regarding the steps of the procedure:
1. No pain is to be expected during the extractions, implant placements(DAY 1), locator placing(DAY 90)
2. After the anesthesia wears off, very minimal soreness could be expected if you take the prescribed medication.
3. The immediate denture is a complete denture. That means it covers the gums and the roof of your mouth completely. You might experience difficulties speaking, eating, drinking, biting, tasting the food, etc…You might get used to it and tolerate it better. You need to wear the immediate dentures(upper and lower) until DAY 118. You might have to use glue( Fixodent) to keep it in place.
4. Implant Retained Overdenture( delivered on day 118): it covers the gums completely. That means that when you smile, the gums of the over denture are going to show(not your natural gums). It does cover the roof of your mouth only partially( that means you are going to be able to speak, eat, taste the food better).
On the roof of your mouth, the over denture has a small metal band in order to be more resistant to breaking. On the inside of the over denture, the attachments are placed and they are going to connect to the implant locators through a snap-on mechanism. Food might get under the over denture upon eating, so the over denture rinse is recommended after each meal. Psychologically you might still feel you have “false teeth” because you take them in and out.
Actual patient from Sewell Dental Arts before having the dental implants placed for Permanent Dentures or Implant Retained Overdentures
The same actual patient after the implant retained overdentures were delivered and attached to the dental implants.
If you feel that you have questions about dental implants, implant retained overdentures, all-on-4, teeth in a day, please feel free to contact my office in Washington Township, Sewell Dental Arts to schedule a free consultation. I will be happy to meet you, answer the questions and help you.
Septimiu Pastiu, DMD
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