What is a Bar Retained Overdenture?
You already know what dentures are and you know how that dental prosthesis can be problematic for many people. Traditional dentures are large and bulky. They do not always stay in place and it can pinch and slide while you are trying to talk or eat. The dentures can leave you lacking self confidence when trying to conduct your life day to day.
Dental implants can offer a secure way to anchor overdentures in place and offer nearly the same functionality as your natural teeth. A bar retained overdenture is a type of implant supported denture that can be used on either your upper or lower arch to replace missing teeth. The overdentures are able to be removed from your mouth but the dental implant remains in place. The dentures can be cleaned and after eating and stored overnight like traditional dentures.
The dental implants are placed below the gumline into the jaw bone. The implanted posts heal in place and fuse with the jaw bone to create a nearly permanent anchor. The dentist attaches small screws to the top of the implanted posts where an abutment will be placed. The abutment holds the bar in place and the dentures will be fitted with attachments that keep them in place on the bar. With the implants, your jaw bone does not run the same risk for bone density loss as it does with traditional dentures. The pressure from chewing and talking will continue to stimulate the jaw bone and keep it healthy for longer.
A bar retained overdenture is an ideal tooth replacement for people who are missing most or all of their teeth from one or both of their arches. This kind of overdenture can improve your appearance as compared to your traditional dentures because this offers stability and security of a dental implant. The dentures are fit with a special clip that attaches to the bar. The bar is held in place by a few specially placed implanted posts. The dentist will need to fit your mouth for dentures and take impressions to match you perfectly. The dentist will also need to determine if you are an ideal candidate for dental implant surgery. You will need to review your complete medical history as well as all the medications you regularly use. Any surgical history or history of infections are important to share with the dentist to be sure that you get the best possible outcome from your dental implant surgery. Your implants will need to heal in place before they are ready to support your overdentures and that could take three months to a year depending on how you heal. The dentist will fit your dentures and ensure the clips on the dentures attach properly to the bar.
You will be able to have the confidence that your speech is clear, you can eat the foods you enjoy, and no one will be able to notice your dentures before you choose to share that information with them.