An implant supported denture is similar to a regular denture, except that it is supported and attached to dental implants for stability.
What is an Implant Supported Denture?
An implant-supported denture is used when there isn’t any tooth in the jaw and when there is enough bone in the jaw to support implants. An implant-supported denture is attached to the implants while a regular overdenture rests on the gums and tends to fit less firmly in the mouth.
An implant-supported denture has special attachments that snap onto attachments on the implants. It is possible to remove an implant-supported denture easily. But also it is possible to have fixed (permanent) crown and bridge. The dentist can suggest you the type that is suitable for you.
There are two types of implant-supported dentures. They are called as bar-retained and ball-retained. In both of them the denture is made of acrylic base. Bar-retained dentures require at least three implants and ball-retained dentures requires at least two implants.
Bar-retained dentures Firstly two to five implants are placed to your jawbone. Then a thin metal bar that follows the curve of your jaw is attached to these implants. Clips or other types of attachments are fitted to the bar, the denture, or to both. The denture fits over the bar and is securely clipped into place by the attachments.
Ball-retained dentures A metal attachment is hold by each implant that has been placed in the jawbone. And it fits into another attachment on the denture. In most cases, the attachments on the implants are ball-shaped ("male" attachments), and they fit into sockets ("female" attachments) on the denture.