Dentures on Implants Solutions
There are a variety of treatments which can be done with dental implants, that provide patients with a solution to regular dentures.
Dental implants have been used for over 60 years now; they are safe, bio-compatible, effective, and have excellent long-term use statistics. Dental implants are not normally a temporary treatment!
Dental implants can be used in the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both. Depending on the number of implants and there locations, will determine what type of dental restoration can be put onto them. For example, if you have a complete upper denture, and you have enough implants placed, you could end up with have a restoration that has nothing touching your palate!
Many patients question if there is affordable dental implants in Calgary? There are a variety of types of dental implants and pricing varies on both the actual implant used and who places the implants. To determine whether or not you believe the treatment provides affordable dental implants, a consultation would need to be done to determine the number and type of dental implants and what the restorations on the implants will be.
The following provides some of the general dental implant restorations that can be done and generally applies to both the upper or lower jaw. For additional information, call us at Oakridge Denture Centre for an appointment at our southwest Calgary denture clinic, where we can discuss implants further with you and answer your questions.
Complete Denture on 2 or 4 Implants
The least costly implant solution for loose lower dentures, is to have 2 implants placed into the jaw. This can also be done with 4 implants. Video Link
The implants then have an "abutment" which fits into a special attachment that is contained in the denture.
These restorations provide excellent retention of the lower denture, and the attachments can be easily serviced when they begin to wear from use.
With this type of restoration, your denture will continue to touch your lower gum in the fashion of a "normal" denture, but will be retained by the implant attachments. This retention usually provides patients with greater comfort for their lower, as there is little to no movement of the lower denture when chewing, and your chewing ability will be better than before.
The lower denture is removable by you the patient, for easy cleaning.
Cost as an Implant System: $ - $$
Complete Denture on 2 Implants with a Bar
This solution for loose lower dentures, has 2 implants placed into the jaw and the implants are joined together with a bar; usually either titanium of gold. This can also be done with 4 implants. Video Link
With this type of restoration, there is a metal "clip" attachment that is contained in the denture, which snaps onto the bar.
These restorations provide excellent retention of the lower denture, and the attachment can be serviced when they begin to loosen from use.
With this type of restoration, your denture will continue to touch your lower gum in back area of your jaw, similar to that of a "normal" denture, but will be retained by the implant attachment. This retention usually provides patients with greater comfort for their lower, as there is little to no movement of the lower denture when chewing, and your chewing ability will be better than before.
The lower denture is removable by you the patient, for easy cleaning.
Cost as an Implant System: $ - $$
Complete Denture on 4 Implants, with a Bar and Attachments
This solution has 4 implants placed into the jaw and the implants are joined together with a bar and the bar usually has attachments on it.
With this type of restoration, there is a usually one or more "clip" attachments and other attachments, that are contained in the denture, which then snaps onto the bar.
These restorations provide excellent retention of the lower denture, and the attachment can be serviced when they begin to loosen from use.
With this type of restoration, normally your denture will no longer touch your lower gum as it is fully retained and supported by the implant bar.
This type of restoration removes any of the pressure on the lower gum that a normal denture would create, and therefore, greatly improves patients comfort for their lower. Chewing is more similar to having natural teeth back again.
The lower denture is removable by you the patient, for easy cleaning.
Cost as an Implant System: $$
Single or a Few Missing Teeth
If you are missing one or a few teeth in a row, these can be replaced with dental implants and provide you with a fixed solution, returning you to normal appearance and function.
With these restorations, one or more implants are placed into your jaw, and then the crowns are either cemented or screwed onto the implant.
These restorations are not removable by the patient; as such, you will need to have at least an annual dental hygiene appointment done with a hygienist.
Fixed Appliance on 4+ Implants (Fixed Bridge)
This solution has 4 or more implants placed into the jaw. Video Link
With this type of restoration, there is a then a structure made which will join to all of the implants, and the teeth are then bonded onto the structure. This is then either cemented or screwed onto the implants. This is a fixed bridge solution.
This restoration is restoring you to having a full arch of teeth again. It is not removable by the patient, but can be removed by your practitioner when necessary.
With these types of restoration, you will need to have professional cleaning of the restoration at least yearly; possibly more often depending on your personal oral environment and home care.
Cost as an Implant System: $$$ - $$$$
Who places the Dental Implants
We use dental specialists located in Calgary, such as Oral Surgeons, Periodontists and some General Dentists, who all have extra training for placement of dental implants and that do the procedure routinely.
We would be pleased to refer you to one of these practitioners for a consultation regarding dental implant treatments. At the consultation, an examination would be completed and then you would be advised as to their recommendations so that you can determine if you consider the treatment to be one you would desire and if they you believe they are affordable dental implants.
Bone Grafting
In some patients there is a limited amount of bone in the area where the surgeon would like to place the implant. In such cases, the surgeon may recommend bone grafting prior to implant placement.
Click on the link to view a video on bone grafting. Link
Implant Overdenture on
Four Implants
These images show the typical steps in providing a implant overdenture on four implants with Locator type abutments.
 X-Ray of Implants with AbutmentsRadiographs are done to verify that the implants are "solid" in the jaw bone. Once the healing has completed, procedures can then be done to make the appropriate denture(s). |
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 Master ImpressionHighly-detailed impression of implants in mouth for a master model; this used to make the denture. |
 Locator Abutments in-situThe implant Locator abutments in the mouth. |
 Parallel Post in mouthParallel Posts on dental implants to verify the implants degree of parallelism. |
 Verification JigVerification jig assures implant attachments in the denture will fit. |
 Lower Implant OverdentureComplete lower denture with Novaloc attachments to fit onto Locator implant abutments. |
Implant Bar Overdenture
These images show the typical steps in providing a implant bar retained overdenture.
 X-Ray of Implants & AbutmentsRadiographs are done to verify that the implants are "solid" in the jaw bone. Once the healing has completed, procedures can then be done to make the appropriate denture(s). |
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 Implants in Place with Healing CapsAbutments are attached to the dental implants and healing caps are attached to the abutments. |
 Implants with AbutmentsImplants in place with the abutments to which the implant bar will be attached to. |
 Master ImpressionMaster impression to pick-up the exact implant locations to make a Master Model that is used to make the implant bar and ultimately, the new implant overdenture. |
 Implant Tissue ModelModel with replicas of the implant abutments. |
 Verification JigJig that is made to verify that the impression correctly captured the implant placements in the mouth. |
 Sheffield Test of Bar on ModelVerifies that the bar is fitting onto the abutments on the model. This is then done in the mouth. |
 Implant Bar with AttachmentsAfter the bar is verified to be fitting properly, it is then screwed onto the abutments. |
 Mandibular Implant DentureThe final overdenture has attachments which snap onto the attachments on the bar. This provides ultimate stability and retention, resulting in improvement in a patient's ability to chew. No more moving lower denture. |