Οverdenture Denture

An overdenture is a specific type of removable dental restoration that is partially supported by preserved natural teeth or dental implants. This approach offers significant advantages compared to traditional full dentures, which rely solely on the gums for support. 

Why an Overdenture? 

The idea behind the overdenture is to utilize existing supporting elements (natural teeth or implants) to improve the stability, retention, and functionality of the denture. This is particularly important for patients who face problems with the stability of traditional dentures. 

Types of Overdentures: 

There are two main types of overdentures, depending on the kind of supporting elements: 

Overdentures Supported by Natural Teeth: 

• In this case, the dentist preserves one or more natural teeth that have undergone endodontic treatment (root canal) and have been slightly trimmed. 
• Special attachments are placed on the preserved teeth and connected to the denture. 
• These attachments provide retention and stability to the denture. 

Overdentures Supported by Dental Implants: 

• This is a more common and often more effective solution. 

• Dental implants are placed in the jawbone (upper or lower). 

• Special attachments are connected to the implants. 

• The denture is designed to snap onto or be supported by the implant attachments, offering excellent stability. 

Advantages of Overdentures: 

• Improved stability and retention: Support from natural teeth or implants prevents the denture from moving during chewing and speaking. 

• Improved functionality: It allows for more effective chewing and improves one's ability to eat a variety of foods. 

• Improved aesthetics: A more stable denture can improve the appearance of the smile. 

• Reduced bone loss: Support from implants can help preserve jawbone. 

• Improved self-confidence: The sense of security a stable denture provides can increase a person's self-confidence. 

• Smaller gum coverage (in some cases): The denture can be designed to cover less of the palate in the upper jaw, improving the sense of taste and comfort. 

When is an Overdenture Suitable? 

An overdenture is an excellent option for patients who: 

• Have difficulty with the stability of traditional full dentures. 

• Have preserved some healthy natural teeth that can be used for support. 

• Are candidates for dental implant placement. 

• They desire a more stable and functional solution for replacing their teeth.