Denture Stabilization
Be it from periodontal disease, tooth decay, an accident, or simply old age, there are numerous reasons why someone may need to replace missing teeth during their lifetime. Dentures have long been used to restore appearance and functionality but because of their design, they are not without their issues.
Lacking any permanent attachment in the mouth, dentures rest on the wearer’s gums which makes them susceptible to shifting out of place. This can be uncomfortable and create issues when speaking and eating. To combat these issues, many patients are finding denture stabilization to be an ideal way to have solid dentures.
Denture Stabilization Explained
To stabilize dentures, dental implants are placed directly into the patient’s jawbone to keep dentures held securely in place. Dental implants are frequently used to replace one missing tooth but if the patient requires replacement of an entire upper or lower set of teeth, stabilized dentures are more suitable.
As mentioned, removable dentures are prone to shifting making them uncomfortable for the wearer. Because dentures often rely on adhesives to hold them in place, the adhesives may leave a foul taste in the patient’s mouth which can affect the enjoyability of drinking and eating. And given that dentures must be removed every night for cleaning and soaking, some patients may find maintaining their device to be burdensome.
By using implants to support dentures, many of these pitfalls are avoided. Given that they are embedded directly into the patient’s jaw, implant-supported dentures offer a permanent restoration that only a dentist can remove. Accordingly, implant-supported dentures do not have to be taken out at night for cleaning nor do patients need to modify their flossing and brushing techniques. And due to the direct interaction between the jawbone and implant, stabilized dentures provide a more sturdy foundation that helps prevent bone loss.
Advantages of Denture Stabilization
Some of the benefits denture stabilization provides patients include:
- Makes it easier to chew food which in turn, promotes better digestion.
- Provide superior comfort when compared to traditional dentures.
- Do not require modifications to flossing and brushing routines; can be treated like natural teeth.
- No need to remove the device – can only be taken out by a dentist.
- Lowers the risk of irritation, periodontal infection, or mouth sores developing.
- Enhances self-confidence – no risk of embarrassing mishaps like dentures falling out when eating or talking.
- Offers a permanent remedy for replacing lost teeth.
How Denture Stabilization Works
To stabilize dentures, dental implants are first surgically placed into the patient’s jawbone. Dental implants can be placed anywhere in the patient’s mouth but are typically placed towards the front where there is more bone and fewer nerves. Following surgery, several months will be needed to allow the implant and jawbone to heal and undergo a biological fusion process known as osseointegration.
Given the time needed to recover from surgery and the fact multiple procedures and dentist visits may be needed, the process can take over a year from start to finish. The process could also be impacted by the need for any additional procedures, like a bone or gum graft, necessary to support the dental implants.
Unlike conventional dentures that lack any rooted support in the wearer’s mouth, stabilized dentures are firmly affixed in the jawbone. Although the patient may be missing their teeth, they must have sufficient jawbone necessary to support the implants. The loss of bone tissue is avoided when implanting directly into the jaw and since they are securely integrated with bone, they will not shift out of place.
There are various types of denture stabilization systems. Some involve attachments on the dentures that clip to the implant whereas other systems utilize dental bridges or fixed crowns mounted to the implant. Those that clip on via attachments are removable whereas dental bridges or fixed crowns are not.
Types of Stabilization Systems
There are two forms of denture stabilization: bar-retained and ball-retained dentures. Ball-retained dentures, also called stud-attachment dentures, rely on jawbone implants with metal attachments that fit onto the dentures. Typically, the attachments on these denture systems resemble sockets with implant attachments being ball shaped. The reverse can also be true, but the end product is the identical: the ball goes into the socket.
To support the device, a minimum of two to five dental implants are needed for bar-retained dentures. These systems employ a metal bar which curves around the patient’s jawbone and connects with all the dental implants. The denture fits over the bar and the implants and/or denture could have attachments that clips everything together.
Possible Risks or Complications
Despite being rare, there is a chance that dental implants could fail. Often, implant failure is attributed to poor oral hygiene or behaviors like clenching and grinding the teeth. These can increase the chance of a denture breaking or an implant coming loose. And given that surgery is involved in the procedure, there is a chance that infections or other side effects could develop.
The various retention systems also carry their own risks. Unlike ball-retained dentures, bar-retained systems need space on the denture for attachments. This leaves less space for teeth on the framework and in some cases, can cause teeth to come loose.
How Much Does Denture Stabilization Cost?
Implant stabilized dentures tend to cost more than traditional dentures or bridges and may not be covered by dental insurance. After an initial examination, the dentist should have an idea of what the treatment will cost but in general, cost is often around $6,000 to support the dentures with two implants.
Additional factors that influence stabilization cost include:
- How many implants are used – generally, two to four implants per jaw are needed but in certain situations, as many as 10 will be necessary; more implants mean higher cost.
- Which stabilization system is employed (ball- vs. bar-retained).
- The materials used for the denture and implant – titanium is often used for the implant because of its ability to fuse with the jawbone but non-metallic systems are also available (Zirconia).
- The need for additional procedures like bone or gum grafting.
- The geographic location and expertise of the doctor performing the treatment.