Overdentures
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Daniella Perez Simon, DMD
Cosmetic Dentist & Family Dentist located in North Bethesda, MD
If you wear full or partial dentures and they slip, slide, or are generally uncomfortable, you might want to consider an overdenture. Overdentures stay in place and make chewing and speaking much easier. At Daniella Perez Simon, DMD, in North Bethesda, Maryland, the team regularly prescribes overdentures to assist patients who are unhappy with traditional dentures. To see if you’re a candidate, call the office or click the online booking tool today.
Overdentures Q & A
What is an overdenture?
Traditional dentures are removable dental prosthetics designed to replace all or some of your teeth. If you lose one or multiple teeth, your jawbone shrinks over time, which can make it difficult for your dentures to fit snugly or comfortably.
An overdenture is a prosthetic appliance attached to your remaining teeth or dental implants. Clinical studies show that overdentures help prevent bone deterioration. They also keep your dentures from moving around or irritating your gums.
Who can benefit from overdentures?
If you’re missing all or some of your permanent teeth, and you’re unhappy with traditional dentures, you’re probably a good candidate for overdentures. The team at Daniella Perez Simon, DMD also recommends overdentures for people with certain dental-related conditions, including:
- Cleft palate
- If you’re missing more than six teeth
- Cleidocranial dysostosis (The abnormal development of bones in your skull)
You might also benefit from an overdenture if you have a severe underbite.
What is the process for receiving implant-supported overdentures?
Receiving implant-supported overdentures takes a period of between 6-12 months and a series of appointments. Though this may seem like a long period of time, it’s important to remember that with proper care, implant-supported overdentures can last a lifetime.
At your first appointment, Daniella Perez Simon, DMD performs an oral exam and takes a series of X-rays to get a closer look at your jawbone. If your jaw is healthy and there aren’t any signs of infection, treatment moves forward.
The number of implants you’ll need depends on how many of your teeth are missing. If you need an overdenture for both the top and bottom of your mouth, your dentist places four implants. If you only need an overdenture for one area of your mouth, your dentist only places two. Your Daniella Perez Simon, DMD provider places your implants where your canines used to be.
After placing the implants, you return home for a period of three to six months, until the implants fuse with your jawbone.
At your second appointment, your dentist attaches an abutment, or metal extension, to each implant. Next, your dentist takes your current dentures — assuming they’re in good condition — and sends them to a dental laboratory for adjustments. If your dentures aren’t in good shape, your dentist takes impressions of your teeth and orders a new set of dentures.
A week or two later, you return for your third and final appointment. Your Daniella Perez Simon, DMD provider has you try on your overdenture to make sure it fits correctly. Your dentist then provides you with a list of instructions for proper care.
If dentures are causing you pain or irritation, overdentures are worth considering. Call the office or click the online scheduling tool to make your appointment today.
