Dentures are removable replacements for teeth. Typically dentures rest upon the gum, jaw and any remaining teeth.

For many patients, dentures will tend to adversely affect these tissues until eventually more teeth are lost, the jaw bone has lost bulk, and the type of gum covering the jaw becomes of a poor quality. As these supporting tissues are lost, the dentures become less well retained and more difficult to wear.

The gum and jaw bone were never designed to support dentures; placing implants will generally offer much more stability and predictability over time, improving comfort, retention, and most importantly will help to retain the jaw bone bulk. We consider that using implants to support full dentures would ideally be a minimum standard of care that we would like to offer our patients. Implant supported “overdentures” will for many patients who cannot have implant bridgework, be the best alternative treatment.

There are of course still some occasions where conventional dentures will be required for reasons other than economy, and dentures will often serve as useful temporary tooth replacements during implant treatment.