At Dingley/Emerald Denture Clinic our bespoke range of removable Partial Overdentures utilises proven techniques and materials available in modern dentistry.

Our Bespoke range is superior to regular partial dentures due to use of:

1. “Phonares II” German-made Composite denture teeth, which gives more durable wear and natural aesthetics.
2. Recording of jaw relationship using Facebow transfer.
3. Removable partial overdenture stabilisation with dental implants.

You will immediately enjoy the benefits of dental implants on your overdenture:

• Enhanced retention and stability compared to your regular denture.
• Better aesthetics as visible clasping is reduced or eliminated altogether
• Better chewing function enabling you to eat foods that you could not eat before.
• Improved comfort and confidence.
• Less chance of denture sore spots and ulcerations on your gums as the dental implants inhibit the movement of the denture base toward the soft tissues when biting.

Other important hidden long-term advantages to you are:

• Preservation of remaining residual ridge by better distribution of forces.
• Minimisation of damaging leverage to remaining teeth and therefore increasing the longevity and health of your natural teeth.
• Easy maintenance.
• Better affordability compared to fully fixed implant dental bridges.
• The dental implants most likely will be able to adapt to suit any future changes to your dental condition(s).

What Is a Dental Implant?

Dental implants are titanium fixtures shaped like a bolt placed surgically inside the jaw and with healing ‘Osseo-integrate’ with the surrounding bone.

The threads of the dental implant osseo-integrate with the bone below the gums and a precision attachment connects to the dental implant above the gum line. Metal housings with rubber O rings are positioned within your removable overdenture, which then slips over the precision attachments much like a ‘press-stud’ mechanism.

The number of implants used and their location intra-orally will be determined by:

• The quality and volume of your jaw bone present.
• Safety boundaries surrounding vital anatomical and neurovascular structures.
• Your personal clinical preference and budget.
• The condition and positions of remaining dentition.

Important note:

Your removable overdenture still rests on your gums. Dental implants provide a form of anchorage and retention. Your overdenture is still removable and is NOT permanently fixed to your jaw. 

Are dental implants suitable for you?

There are no absolute health contra-indications for dental implants. However, osseo-integration is less predictable in diabetics and cigarette smokers.

Dental Implants cannot be used in those who have taken IV bisphosphonates used to treat osteoporosis. Chronic use of corticosteroids for auto-immune disorders will lower the success rate of dental implants. 

Where to from here?

1. Referral to Dentist
2. A set of impressions will be taken to create primary models of your teeth and gums.  Referral to a bulk billed imaging centre to acquire a simple 2-D x-ray (OPG).
3. Exam and consultation to assess the condition of your dentition. Review of your medical and dental histories. Plan for any restorative dental treatment that the remaining natural teeth may require in preparation for your overdentures.
4. Initial measurements and intra-oral exam will determine whether the volume of bone present in your jaw allows you to be a possible candidate for dental implants. 
5. If the 2-D x-ray looks promising, then a more detailed Cone Beam CT (CBCT) will be referred to scan your jaw three-dimensionally. The reason why we do not refer for a CBCT straight away is to avoid unnecessary cost. 
6. The CBCT allows us to check the volume and shape of jaw bone and visualisation of important anatomical structures, and to map the best location of the dental implants.
7. We will show you the results of the CBCT and proposed location of the dental implants at a separate consultation appointment.
8. Consent forms to be signed and witnessed. The consent forms will provide more details on the pros and cons of dental implants and possible complications.
9. Prior to implant surgery, we will make a decision whether a new temporary denture will be made or your existing denture can be modified for you to wear during the implant healing phase.
10. The first surgery involves placing the implants in your jawbone. During the first surgery, an incision is made in the gum where the implant will be placed. A hole is drilled in the bone, the implant is placed in the hole and the incision is stitched closed. After this surgery, we wait for 3-4 months under normal circumstances for the dental implants to osseo-integrate before scheduling for the second surgery. Your interim denture may need some minor adjustments or soft reline while you are healing.

11.  Once the implants have successfully osseo-ontegrate, the second surgery can be organised. This second surgery is simpler than the first. A small incision is made in your gum to expose the tops (heads) of the implants. A healing cap is placed on the head of each of the implants exposed in order to guide the gum tissue to heal correctly. Your interim denture will need to be modified to accommodate for the healing caps.

12.  About 2 weeks after the second surgery, the healing caps are replaced with the chosen precision attachments. Your gums should now be healed well enough for an impression on which your new Bespoke overdenture is to be fabricated. Again, your interim denture will need to be adjusted or be unsuitable to wear.

13.  The fabrication of your new Bespoke overdenture should take approximately one month.

Caring for your Bespoke Overdenture:

• You will need to remove the overdenture at night and for cleaning. 
• You should carefully clean around the precision attachments above your gums. Gum disease (peri-implantitis) can develop around the implants and will compromise their stability and ultimately lead to premature failure.
• Annual dental examination is necessary for us to check that your natural dentition, implants and attachments dentition are functioning as intended and the gums and bone remain healthy.
• The retention caps in the housings embedded within your denture will need replacement when they become worn or degraded. Generally speaking, replacement is required every 2- 4 years.  Additional fees will apply.
• Renew the composite teeth and reline the denture base using an existing casting base every 8 to 10 years depending on the amount of jaw bone shrinkage which occurs with aging. Additional fees will apply.

If you’d like to know more please contact us.