Dentures are a great way for patients to restore their smile! The first thing you may think about when you read the word “denture” is the traditional denture that does not stay in place and needs messy, sticky adhesives. Modern dentistry has afforded patients the ability to receive a natural-looking denture that is stable and durable using dental implants.
A bar retained overdenture is one such restoration. An overdenture replaces your missing teeth while providing optimal support and function for eating and speaking. Patients that have a bar retained denture are much more comfortable and confident in their smile!
A traditional denture is held in place using retention, suction, and sometimes a denture adhesive. Traditional dentures can slide around in the patient's mouth and cause sores on their gum tissue, making them very uncomfortable to wear. Over time, the jaw bone begins to deteriorate, causing the denture to become ill-fitting and uncomfortable for the patient.
What is a bar retained overdenture?
A bar retained overdenture is a dental prosthesis that uses dental implants and attachments for security. 4 to 6 dental implants are placed across the arch, directly into the jaw bone and a metal bar is screwed down onto the implants. The overdenture then clips onto the bar for a secure, yet removable prosthesis.
Because of the stability of dental implants, a bar retained overdenture will not move around in the patient's mouth. Dental implants also support bone health so risk of bone loss is minimized and patients are able to wear a denture that is comfortable and fits properly for much longer.
How is a bar retained overdenture placed?
The process for placing a bar retained overdenture begins with dental implants. A dental implant is a small titanium screw that is placed directly into the jaw bone. An oral surgeon or periodontist will place 4 to 6 implants across the entire arch onto which the bar support for your overdenture is secured. The overdenture has clips that will allow the patient to remove their denture for cleaning and oral care.
Your dentist will use an impression of the arch to create a temporary denture for you to wear while your implants are healing. Once your implants are placed and ready for your new overdenture, your dentist will have you in for a new impression of your mouth which will be used to create the support bar and final overdenture.
Once your overdenture is ready, you will have another visit to your dentist for a fitting to make sure that everything is perfect! Any adjustments that can be made in the office will be done at this appointment but if you need modifications or adjustments that the dental lab has to do, you will continue to wear temporary denture until your case is back from the lab.
Who is a candidate for a bar retained overdenture?
Any patient missing a significant number of teeth on one or both arches may be a candidate for a bar retained overdenture, as long as they are otherwise healthy. It is important to speak with your dentist so you will know what to expect before you begin the process for a bar retained overdenture. This restoration has the potential to greatly improve quality of life but it is not a short process! Your dentist will help you decide if a bar retained overdenture is right for you!