What is an Attachment Denture?
If you are missing more than one tooth or an entire arch of teeth, you need to start talking to the dentist about tooth replacement options. Depending on your particular needs and your dental health, you may be considering dental bridges, dental implants, dentures or overdentures. Each type of tooth replacement has different advantages and disadvantages and the more teeth you need to replace, the dentist can help you determine which is the best treatment for your case.
Dentures are one of the oldest dental prosthetics but their technology has allowed them to remain a consistent option for replacing missing teeth. They are no longer bulky, they are made to look more like natural teeth, and they can even be secured in place by dental implants. When the dentures are no longer secured by suction, adhesive, or both, and are instead held in place by attaching to dental implants, then they become overdentures.
Overdentures can be attached to dental implants a few different ways and can even be secured permanently in your mouth only to be able to be removed by a dentist. These kinds of overdentures help you feel like you still have your natural teeth. Instead of having to get a dental implant for each missing tooth, the dentist can insert a few strategically placed implants to secure a whole arch of dentures. Depending on your mouth the dentist may suggest as few as two implants but many people need about four for the best results.
Here are the three types of fasteners that the dentist can use for your overdentures and their attachment.
1. Bar Retained
The dental implants are placed below the gumline in the jaw bone and heal in place. The dentist attaches abutments to the top of the implanted posts and there is a bar the dentist places on the abutments. The bar attaches to the overdentures with clips or screws.
On the lower jaw, the dentist can use a titanium bar with a rider which allows the dentist to use a bar where there is not much space in the mouth.
Another version is a titanium bar with attachment. The attachments are fasteners that are made from nylon and use a press button function.
Instead of titanium, the bar can be made from zircon, a mineral, unlike the metal titanium.
Finally, there is a version called a bar of paris and instead of removing the overdentures, they are able to remain in the mouth permanently. They are able to be removed to clean the overdentures.
2. Implant Retained
Similar to the types listed above, these do not have bars and instead, the overdentures are directly attached to the abutments on the implants. These kinds of overdenture attachments can be used on both the upper and lower jaw. The dentist can use a locator attachment or a ball. Locators are best in areas of the mouth where there is not much room. Locators use a male and a female piece to ensure they remain securely attached. Ball fasteners are similar to locators but they are a round shape instead.
3. Fixed Implant Supported Overdentures
When the dentist uses this kind of overdenture, there is no attachment between the overdenture and implant. Instead, they are screwed directly to each other and can be used on both the upper and lower jaws.