implant supported dentures

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

cet138 - 09 Jul 2005 03:36 GMT

Are three implants, all placed towards the front of the mouth, enough to
support a full upper denture?

Reply to this Message

Jacob - 09 Jul 2005 14:40 GMT

Obviously, it depends on many factors, which can't be evaluated without
examing your mouth. However, as a general rule, an upper full denture
usually is very stable and stays in very well without any implants. Why are
you getting implants for an upper denture? Generally, upper dentures stay
in place from suction, and it is rarely a problem that they don't. Lower
dentures are COMPLETELY different. Lowers generally have
stability/rentention problems, and implants could be very useful. A lower
denture is constantly being dislodged by your tongue, and I've really never
seen any that stay in place by suction; many patients find that denture
adhesives are very helpful for lowers.

I would ask your dentist why he/she feels it is necessary to place implants
for an upper denture. This would considerably add to the cost, and I wonder
if it would really improve function. For a lower, implants could be a
godsend!

> Are three implants, all placed towards the front of the mouth, enough to
> support a full upper denture?

Reply to this Message

DrSteve - 09 Jul 2005 16:16 GMT

Jacob,,,,

I am doing a case right now where we are going to have 6 implants placed in
the U/CD just to make things functional.

In the severely debilitated maxilla, a few implants may be the only way to
achieve any comfort.

> Obviously, it depends on many factors, which can't be evaluated without
> examing your mouth. However, as a general rule, an upper full denture
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>> Are three implants, all placed towards the front of the mouth, enough to
>> support a full upper denture?

Reply to this Message

Steven Fawks - 11 Jul 2005 14:12 GMT

I've made hundreds of upper dentures over the years. There isn't a one
of them that doesn't 'move' while checking the occlusion. Yes, most
patients get along pretty well without implants for upper dentures, but
adding a few sure makes them more stable against lower natural teeth.

Going with 6 can even allow a palate-less denture that some patients
greatly prefer.

Fawks

> Jacob,,,,
>
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>>>Are three implants, all placed towards the front of the mouth, enough to
>>>support a full upper denture?

Reply to this Message