When Your Dentist May Recommend Implant Supported Dentures

Implant-supported dentures snap onto implants placed in the jaw instead of resting on the gums. Dentists usually raise them when a lower denture will not stay put, when bone loss has made relines stop working, or when a patient has given up on foods they used to eat. Two implants can anchor a lower denture; four or more give greater support.

Reviewed by Dr. Lance Kamel, DDS · Luxe & Kamel Dentistry, Plantation, FL

What implant-supported dentures are

A conventional denture sits on the gum ridge and is held by suction, shape and sometimes adhesive. An implant-supported denture connects to implants placed in the jawbone, using attachments that click into place.

The change that follows is mechanical. Chewing force is carried by bone through the implants rather than pressed onto gum tissue. The denture stops moving. And because the bone is being loaded again, the resorption that happens under a conventional denture slows considerably.

When a dentist is likely to recommend them

• A lower denture that will not stay in place. The most common reason by far. Lower dentures have far less natural retention than upper ones.
• Relines that no longer hold. When adjustment intervals get shorter and shorter, the ridge has usually flattened.
• Recurring sore spots from a denture concentrating pressure on a thin ridge.
• Avoiding foods. When diet has narrowed because chewing has become unreliable.
• Difficulty speaking or a fear of movement in social situations.
• A strong gag reflex with an upper denture — implants can allow the palate to be left uncovered.
• Continuing bone loss that a dentist wants to slow rather than watch.

Implant-retained, implant-supported and fixed

The terms get used loosely, and the differences matter when you are comparing quotes.

If cost is the constraint, an implant-retained lower overdenture on two implants is where most of the day-to-day benefit is concentrated relative to what it costs.

How many implants do you actually need?

For a lower arch, two implants are a recognised minimum and make a substantial difference. Four provide more support and better force distribution. A fixed bridge typically uses four to six.

The upper jaw usually needs more implants than the lower, because upper bone is generally less dense and the sinuses limit where implants can go. It is also where an upper denture already has decent suction, so the case for implants there is more often about removing the palate coverage than about stopping movement.

Compared with a conventional denture

The process and timeline

1. Assessment with 3D imaging to measure bone and plan implant positions.
2. Preparatory treatment if needed — gum disease treated, remaining failing teeth removed, grafting where bone is short.
3. Implant placement under local anaesthetic, with sedation available.
4. Healing, generally three to six months, wearing a temporary denture meanwhile.
5. Attachments fitted and the denture connected, then adjusted over a follow-up visit or two.

Looking after them

Removable overdentures come out for cleaning and are usually left out overnight, the same as a conventional denture — but the implants and the gum around them also need daily cleaning, because peri-implantitis is the main long-term risk.

The attachment components are wearing parts. The nylon or rubber inserts that create the snap typically need replacing periodically, which is a small routine cost worth knowing about in advance rather than discovering later. Regular professional cleanings remain part of the picture.

Discussing the options in Plantation

If your lower denture has never felt secure, or relines are not lasting, a consultation will tell you what your bone allows and what each option would cost. Dr. Lance Kamel offers a free implant consultation. See our dental implants and dentures pages for more on each route.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• How long do dentures last?
• Can you switch from dentures to implants?
• Are dental implants safe?

Sources

• ADA MouthHealthy — Dental Implants
• ADA MouthHealthy — Dentures

This page is general education, not personal dental advice. Implant numbers and timelines vary with your bone, bite and medical history.

Other Dental Offices in Nearby Cities

If you happen to be visiting nearby cities and need quality dental care, there are a few reputable options to consider.

• • Luxe Dental – Dentist in Lauderhill

• • Beach Smile – Dentist in North Miami

• • Family Dentistry Naples – Dentist in Naples

• • Family Cosmetic Dentistry – Dentist in Weston

• • Tooth Fairy Workshop – Dentist in Hollywood

• • All Smiles Dentistry – Dentist in Miami Gardens

• • Sedation Dental Spa – Dentist in Miramar

• • Miami Dental Group

• • BDC Dental Care – Dentist in Brickell

• • All Dental Group – Dentist in Miami Lakes

• • Dental Boost – Dentist in Hialeah

Each of these clinics has been well-reviewed by locals and may serve as reliable alternatives when you’re out of town.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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