Denture Stabilisation

Denture Movement Issues

Unstable dentures are a common complaint by our patients.

Traditionally, when people had lost all their upper or lower teeth the only option was to have full upper and/or lower dentures.  Their chewing ability is restricted to what can be chewed with gums, generally about 20 percent of the biting force of natural teeth.

When teeth are lost, the gum bones that held the teeth begin to resorb away.  This bone loss is most rapid in the first 3 months after the teeth are extracted.  It continues at a slightly slower rate in the year afterwards.  Thereafter, the gum continues to shrink but at a slow rate. This means that over time, dentures tend to not fit as well, move around or lack stability and retention.

Dentures move around with movement of the tongue and muscles of the mouth and may be dislodged. They can move with eating and everyday speech or even fall out while laughing. This affects people’s confidence and satisfaction in social settings or during meals.

With denture movement, sores and ulcers can form on the gums and soft tissues of the mouth. Most people remove their dentures at night to allow their gums respite and healing.  In more severe cases, patients leave their dentures out most of the day also, or find the only way to continue with dentures is by using adhesive pastes under the fitting surfaces to hold them in place.

Despite these limitations, most people adapt to a full upper denture. However, many people never get used to their full lower denture.  This is because on the upper jaw a full denture covers the whole roof of your mouth and this generates more suction to hold the denture in place which provides more stability.  A lower denture only has a small gum ridge for support and has to contend with tongue movement whenever you eat, drink, talk or swallow.  Generally, there is very little (if any) suction on a full lower denture and little stability.

Denture Stabilisation using Implants

Denture Stabilisation can help many patients.  Usually, dental implants are used to help retain lower dentures but may be used to help hold in upper dentures.  

Dental implants are one of the longest lasting, strongest treatments done in dentistry.

Dental Implants are titanium-based implants placed approximately into the canine area of the lower jawbone while the patient usually undergoes Local or occasionally General Anaesthetic. After a period of healing in a process called Osseointegration, custom porcelain crowns are secured to the dental implants.  A connector is placed on the dental implants with a corresponding retentive device in the denture to locate and retain the denture in place.  These retainers wear out over time so have to be replaced periodically.

Dental Implants act as points of stabilisation for the denture to help prevent denture issues. They can brace against the movements of the muscles and assist in keeping dentures in place during speech and at mealtimes. Dental Implant Denture Stabilisation can be a cost effective way of improving the retention, comfort and function of your dentures and give you the confidence you need in everyday settings.  

Every person is different, but the placement of two dental implants in the lower jaw to help anchor a lower denture results in retention of a lower denture to a similar level to that of an upper denture.  While this dental implant treatment dramatically improves retention, comfort and function of the denture it does not improve it as much as the entire dental arch dental implant replacement.

Denture Stabilisation using Implants require multiple visits to one of our Sunshine Coast and Brisbane dental practices.  They are conducted under Local Anaesthetic, sedation, or General Anaesthetic.

Generally, most patients are good candidates for this treatment. An initial, free consultation will help your dentist find out what type of treatment is best for you, discuss options for your choice, outline the specific stages of treatment that are needed to get the best result, and to screen for any factors that could affect your treatment.

 If you are interested in trying to get your dentures to hold in place better, call one of our dental practices in Caloundra, Kawana, Maroochydore, Bli Bli, North Lakes, Baringa, Sippy Downs, Tewantin, Murrumba Downs, Beerwah and Woolloongabba for a free dental implant consultation.