Technological innovations and advances in dental research have enabled the implementation of new techniques for replacing complete or partial dentition. This is particularly the case of the implant-supported prosthesis which is removable like the conventional “denture” with which it shares a lot in common (support in pink resin, artificial tooth in acrylic resin, etc.). The only difference is that the implant-supported prosthesis is held in place on the gum using artificial roots implanted in the jawbone and not thanks to the "suction cup" effect. In other words, this prosthesis combines two dental replacement techniques (implant + denture). If you are facing the complete loss of your entire dentition, you might be reading many new terms and have come across “implant retained overdentures” and “implant supported dentures” and have been confused about the difference. The main difference between the two is that implant retained dentures are prostheses that can be removed by you when you need, and implant-supported dentures are permanently affixed to an implant and must be removed by your dentist.
Patients of any age can have a complete implant-supported or retained removable prosthesis after having undergone total edentulism (loss of teeth) of the lower and/or upper jaw and meeting the conditions required for implant surgery. To hold an implant-supported prosthesis, 2 to 4 dental implants must be made in the gum. For the upper jaw, the implants are centered perfectly perpendicular to the jaw while those of the lower jaw will be slightly oblique. For implant-retained dentures, there are many ways the dentures can be affixed to the implant. Your dentist will discuss these options with you and together, you can decide which is best.
For any intervention that includes implants, several months are necessary for the gum to heal completely after the insertion of the artificial titanium root. The complete restoration of the dentition is done only after the osseointegration of the implant.
Why opt for the implant-supported prosthesis?
The loss of all natural teeth can cause significant bone loss in the jaw, which will inevitably change the facial structure. Tissue support is insufficient and can lead to premature aging of the skin. Wrinkles appear while others are accentuated. The features around the mouth sag and will inevitably give the impression of being older.
Without a suitable prosthesis, this complete edentulism can have a devastating effect not only on physical appearance, but also psychologically. People who already wear dentures, but who are not satisfied with their fit, can very well opt for either type of implant dentures, which are both a more stable solution. These prostheses provide a feeling of security.
Both implant-supported prostheses provide great chewing comfort and look and feel close to your natural teeth. There are different costs associated with each type of denture, with implant supported dentures generally costing more than implant retained dentures. Additionally, the care and maintenance of each requires special attention. In general, both implant supported and implant retained dentures are more expensive than traditional dentures. Costs can vary widely however, depending on how many implants you need and what your final prosthesis needs.