What are Overdentures and How Do They Work With Natural Teeth?

Overdentures are removable dentures used to replace missing teeth and cover or rest on the one or more remaining natural teeth in the mouth. These dentures are also known as hybrid dentures or tooth-supported dentures.

How do overdentures work with natural teeth?

Overdentures are similar to dental implants in the sense that implants are fused to the gums to stimulate tooth roots, which slows down bone loss in the jaw. While implants use titanium posts to hold the artificial tooth in place, overdentures use the remaining teeth in the mouth as abutments to hold the denture in place. Like dental implants, the natural teeth that are used as abutments also slow down bone loss.

Types of overdentures

There are many types of overdentures to choose from, some of which include:

Implant-retained, gum supported

This type of overdenture requires the overdenture to sit directly on the gums and is held in place by implants fused to the top and lower jaw. It is a removable type of overdenture that is secured to the implants using attachments that are incorporated into the denture.

Bar-retained, implant supported

This type of overdenture uses attachments on a metal bar that connects to implants, which are inserted in the upper and lower jaw. Like the implant-retained overdenture, it is removable and is secured to the bar on the top of the gums through attachments directly weaved into the denture.

Fixed overdenture, implant supported

This overdenture sits directly over the bar and it is held together by screws placed in the upper and lower jaw. Since the denture is fixed, it can only be removed by a dentist.

Advantages of overdentures

There are many advantages to receiving overdentures, some of which include:

Improved digestion

Regular dentures are held in place with denture adhesives but tend to move around in the mouth, making it difficult to chew food. Overdentures are held in place with the help of implants, which make them steadier. The stability supported by implants makes it easier to chew food more thoroughly before it is broken down in the stomach.

Stimulating jaw bone

Unlike regular dentures, which increase bone loss, overdentures slow down bone loss by stimulating the jawbone while chewing, and can slow or prevent the bone from resorbing.

Helps retain facial features

Missing teeth that are not replaced quickly lead to bone resorption, which can impact a person’s appearance; making them look older than they are.

Comfort

Dentures are not very comfortable because they tend to move around in the mouth and do not look like natural teeth. Overdentures are firmly held in place and do not move around in the mouth, making them more comfortable.

Taking care of overdentures

Taking care of overdentures is important in maintaining oral health. A fixed overdenture can be cleaned like natural teeth with non-abrasive toothpaste. Removable overdentures should be removed before going to bed and soaked in warm water or denture solution. They can also be cleaned using a non-abrasive toothpaste.

Conclusion

Overdentures are used to replace missing teeth and are more effective than regular dentures, making them a great alternative for people with missing teeth. If you have missing teeth and want to learn more about overdentures and how they work with your natural teeth, talk to your dentist to get more information about them.

Request an appointment here: https://www.carolinasmilesdentist.com or call Carolina Smiles Family Dental at (828) 974-3326 for an appointment in our Brevard office.

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