What is an Implant Locator?
Patients who are missing all of their teeth in the upper and/or lower jaw often use dentures to restore their teeth. Dentures are commonly used as an effective way of replacing missing teeth for patients. While there have been many advancements in dentures, patients often have frustrations with the discomfort, limitations, and poor fit associated with traditional dentures. Many of these common issues are resolved through the use of denture locator implants.
The following article will review how denture locator implants work in addition to the benefits associated with this tooth-replacement treatment. Denture locator implants help eliminate many of the common issues denture wearers experience.
Traditional Denture Challenges
There have been numerous advancements made in regards to the materials, design, and fabrication of dentures over the past few years. Unfortunately, there are still significant limitations associated with the fit and function of dentures. These limitations can ultimately prevent dentures from being an ideal tooth-replacement solution for many patients. Over time, the structure of the jaw and gums will change. As a result, the dentures no longer fit properly. When the dentures no longer fit, they must be re-made to ensure they fit snuggly on the gums. Ill-fitting dentures results in soreness, pain, and irritation.
Dentures which do not fit properly also negatively impact the appearance of the patient’s smile. With missing teeth, there is a lack of stimulation to the jawbone which results in bone resorption. There is unfortunately no way to prevent the changing shape of the gums and jaw over time. The only solution when traditional dentures are used is to have them re-made every time they stop fitting properly. Having the dentures remade requires a significant amount of time and can be quite costly.
Denture Locator Implants
Traditional dentures are fortunately not the only tooth-replacement treatment option. There have been significant enhancements with denture technology and there are new methods which can be used to attach dentures. Denture locator implants give patients a more secure foundation for their dentures and resolve many of the limitations associated with traditional dentures.
Denture locator implants are a special type of dental implants which are surgically placed in the jaw at strategic locations. The implants serve as extremely strong and secure anchors for the dentures. The locators are used to connect the denture to the jaw. Dentures which are secured to the jaw through this type of implant connection are typically called overdentures.
Denture locator implants are strategically placed at specific locations in the jaw which allows them to securely hold the overdentures in place. The dentist will determine how many implants are needed. The number of implants will vary based on factors such as how many teeth are missing, the location of the missing teeth, and the shape of patient’s jaw.
The shape and size of the patient’s jaw will also determine the proper angle and orientation for placing the dental implants into the jawbone. The dentist’s goal is to provide patients with an effective, secure, and durable connection for the overdentures. They will carefully plan the number and positioning of the implants to ensure the best possible outcome. In some cases, as few as two implants can be used to support the overdenture.
The visible or external end of the denture locator implant is specifically shaped to plug solidly in to the connections of the overdenture. A soft material is typically used to cap the implant connectors. The soft material offers shock absorption and flexibility to the overdenture during speaking and chewing. This helps prevent discomfort and movement of the denture while it is in use.
Denture locator implants are an excellent tooth-replacement option. Follow up with your dentist to determine if you are a good candidate for this solution.