Overdenture

Overdenture resting on implants on a plastic model

Overdenture is any removable dental prosthesis that covers and rests on one or more remaining natural teeth, the roots of natural teeth, and/or dental implants.[1] It is one of the most practical measures used in preventive dentistry. Overdentures can be either tooth supported (conventional / immediate) or implant supported. It is found to help in the preservation of alveolar bone and delay the process of complete edentulism.[2]

An overdenture is a denture, the base of which covers one or more teeth, prepared roots or implants.[3]

An overdenture is usually used for elderly patients that have lost some teeth but not all, rendering them suitable for a set of full dentures.[4] The overdenture is not rigid in the mouth; it is removable.[4]

An advantage of overdentures compared to full dentures is that the roots left in the maxilla (upper jaw) help preserve bone of the upper jaw, preventing bone resorption.[4] Another advantage is that the sensory aspect is improved.[4] The nerves in the roots are still present therefore sensation is improved greatly.[4]

The gums around the teeth must be relatively healthy for an overdenture to not cause any further problems.[4]

A maxillary overdenture may be supported by implants.[5] Even though there is no solid evidence to prove how many implants would be ideal to stabilise an overdenture, the most common number of implants used to stabilise a maxillary denture is 4.[5]

For a mandibular overdenture, support was better given by 2 implants than it was when only one implant was present.[5] The patient could also chew much better and was overall more pleased with the overdenture.[5]

At first, chewing capabilities are reduced however within 12 months of fitting the overdenture, the chewing cycle improves.[6]

  1. ^ "Glossary of Prosthodontics". The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 117 (5): C1–e105. May 2017. doi:10.1016/j.prosdent.2016.12.001. hdl:2027/mdp.39015007410742. PMID 28418832.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Guidelines in prosthetic and implant dentistry. Ogden, Alan., British Society for the Study of Prosthetic Dentistry. London: Quintessence Pub. for British Society for the Study of Prosthetic Dentistry. 1996. ISBN 978-1850970439. OCLC 37156780.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)[page needed]
  4. ^ a b c d e f Bansal, Siddharth; Aras, Meena A.; Chitre, Vidya (December 2014). "Tooth Supported Overdenture Retained with Custom Attachments: A Case Report". The Journal of Indian Prosthodontic Society. 14 (S1): 283–286. doi:10.1007/s13191-013-0340-0. PMC 4502008. PMID 26199532.
  5. ^ a b c d Di Francesco, Fabrizio; De Marco, Gennaro; Gironi Carnevale, Ugo Antonello; Lanza, Michele; Lanza, Alessandro (January 2019). "The number of implants required to support a maxillary overdenture: a systematic review and meta-analysis". Journal of Prosthodontic Research. 63 (1): 15–24. doi:10.1016/j.jpor.2018.08.006. PMID 30269880.
  6. ^ Nogueira, Túlio E.; Schimmel, Martin; Leles, Cláudio R. (March 2019). "Changes in masticatory performance of edentulous patients treated with single-implant mandibular overdentures and conventional complete dentures". Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. 46 (3): 268–273. doi:10.1111/joor.12744. PMID 30387869. S2CID 53784442.