Case Study Details
Before: existing, worn and loose upper denture and failing remaining lower teeth and unsatisfactory lower partial denture.
Treatment: revised upper complete denture and lower two-implant bar metal-reinforced overdenture implant.
Advantage over solitary anchor systems such as Balls or Studs: longer life span of gold-clips and therefore less maintenance. Relines less expensive than ball/stud systems, since gold clips/housings normally do not need to be replaced.
Maintenance: The overdenture implant has a gold-clip inside. The clip requires regular activation to maintain its retention/grip. The clip eventually wears out and will require replacement (average of every 5 years, depending on the rate of wear). Stress-broken designs are primarily supported by the residual alveolar (bone/soft-tissues) tissues. Consequently, bone continues to melt away over time behind the implants. As bone melts away, the overdenture implant will no longer adapt/fit the tissues. Consequently, laboratory relines are required every 2 to 3 years. Plastic denture teeth will wear and a new dental prosthetic will be required every 8 to 10 years, depending on the rate of wear. To avoid/minimize bone loss, multiple implants with a rigid-design prosthesis is recommended.