Missing All Lower or Upper Teeth

Missing All Lower Teeth

Although many patients have no problem wearing an upper denture, some people find it difficult to wear and eat with lower dentures. Several implant-supported replacement options are available if you are missing all of your lower teeth.

Ball Attachment Denture

One option is to have two implants placed in your lower jaw and a denture made that snaps onto these implants. This option allows your lower denture to be more stable while chewing than without implants. However, there will still be movement of your lower denture, and sore spots will occur if any food particles, especially seeds, are caught under it. As with all removable replacement teeth, you still will need periodic appointments for denture adjustment.

Lower jaw missing all of its teeth
1. Before
Lower jaw with two dental implants and no bottom teeth
2. Implants Placed
Ball Attachment Denture latched onto the lower jaw by two dental implants
3. Denture Attached
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Bar Attachment Denture

Another option involves placing four to six implants, depending on your jaw size or shape, into your lower jaw. After healing is complete, the implants are connected with a custom-made support bar. Your denture will be made with special internal retention clips that attach on-to the support bar, enabling the denture to snap firmly into place. This is called an “overdenture.” The advantage of this option is that it is much more stable than the first option and allows very little denture movement. Your denture is still removable for easy cleaning and maintenance.

All teeth missing on its lower jaw
1. Before
Four dental implants connected by a metal bar on its lower jaw
2. Implants Placed
A mouth with a Bar Attachment Denture secured onto the lower jaw by four implants
3. Denture Attached

Implant Retained Denture (Hybrid)

A third option involves placing implants in your jaw and attaching a permanent denture. Your denture is held in place by screws or clasps that secure it to the support posts or bar. This is sometimes referred to as an All-on-Four (All-on-4). It doesn’t touch the gum tissue, which allows you to clean under the denture without removing it. This denture will replace all your missing lower teeth and will not be removed except at maintenance visits. Although cleaning under your denture without removing it is more time-consuming and requires more dexterity, many patients who want a permanent denture prefer this option. A great advantage to this type of implant-supported denture is that it often times can be installed the same day as the implant surgery (teeth-in-a-day).

All lower jaw teeth missing
1. Before
Six dental implants and no teeth on its lower jaw
2. Implants Placed
Screw Attachment Denture affixed onto the lower jaw by six dental implants
3. Denture Attached

Individual Implants

The final option is to have all your teeth individually replaced so that they will appear to be growing out of your gum tissue and will most closely resemble the appearance of your natural teeth. This option usually requires eight or more implants. Separate abutments or support posts for each one of these implants will be made and crowns for each missing tooth will be placed. The teeth are often joined together for sinus grafting to replace bone height strength and support. Overall, this is the most costly option, because it requires the most implants and individual replacement tooth fabrication. Your replacement options may also be limited by the current size and shape of your jawbone.

Lower jaw missing all of its teeth
1. Before
Lower jaw with all the teeth as individual dental implants
2. Implants Placed
Healed lower jaw after individual dental implants were placed
3. Healing Completed

Missing All Upper Teeth

A similar range of treatment options is available for your upper jaw. Depending upon the number of implants to be placed, it may be possible to eliminate the need for covering the roof of your mouth with a complete denture. This is sometimes referred to as an All-on-Four (All-on-4) and is made to be fixed (non-removable). This option allows you to fully taste your food and gives you a better sense of its temperature. Your denture will feel more natural. As with the lower jaw, a great advantage to this type of implant-supported denture is that it often times can be installed the same day as the implant surgery (teeth-in-a-day).

Implant Retained Upper Denture with its dental implants attached

Implant Retained Upper Denture

Depending upon the number of implants to be placed, it may be possible to eliminate the need for covering the roof of your mouth with a complete denture.

This option allows you to fully taste your food and gives you a better sense of its temperature. Your denture will feel more natural.

You will still have a removable denture, which makes cleaning the support bar and denture much easier.

Individual Upper Dental Implants

Individual Upper Implants

If you want a restoration that is similar to your natural teeth and therefore not removable, you may be a candidate for an All-on-4 denture (hybrid prosthesis), sometimes known as teeth-in-a-day. These types of fixed dentures require at least four implants.

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