Missing All Lower Teeth

Please review the information below to review your dental implant options to replace your missing teeth at Budrys Dental. To see case studies of patients who have used these procedures to replace their missing teeth, please visit our Dental Implant portfolio photos.

Please call our office for assistance, or to schedule a Consult with Dr. Al Budrys or Dr. Leek You may also use our Appointment Request form.

Missing All Lower Teeth | Missing All Upper Teeth

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Dental Implant Options for the Lower Jaw

Although many patients have no problem wearing an upper denture, some people find it difficult to wear and eat with lower dentures. Several dental implant-supported replacement options are available if you are missing all of your lower teeth.

Ball Attachment Denture | Bar Attachment Denture | Screw-Retained Denture | Individual Implants

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Ball Attachment Denture

One option is to have two implants placed in your lower jaw and a denture made that snaps onto these dental implants. This option allows your lower denture to be more stable while chewing than without implants. However, there will still be movement of your lower denture, and sore spots will occur if any food particles, especially seeds, are caught under it. As with all removable replacement teeth, you still will need periodic appointments for denture adjustment.

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Bar Attachment Denture

Another option involves placing four to six dental implants, depending on your jaw size or shape, into your lower jaw. After healing is complete, the implants are connected with a custom-made support bar. Your denture will be made with special internal retention clips that attach onto the support bar, enabling the denture to snap firmly into place. This is called an overdenture. The advantage of this option is that it is much more stable than the first option and allows very little denture movement. Your denture is still removable for easy cleaning and maintenance.

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Screw-Retained Denture

A third option involves placing five or more dental implants in your jaw and attaching a permanent denture. Your denture is held in place by screws or clasps that secure it to the support posts or bar. It doesn’t touch the gum tissue, which allows you to clean under the denture without removing it. This denture will replace all your missing lower teeth and will not be removed except at maintenance visits. Although cleaning under your denture without removing it is more time consuming and requires more dexterity, many patients who want a permanent denture prefer this option.

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Individual Implants

The final option is to have all your teeth individually replaced so that they will appear to be growing out of your gum tissue and will most closely resemble the appearance of your natural teeth. This option usually requires eight or more dental implants. Separate abutments or support posts for each one of these implants will be made and crowns for each missing tooth will be placed. The teeth are often joined together for sinus grafting to replace bone height strength and support. Overall, this is the most costly option, because it requires the most implants and individual replacement tooth fabrication. Your replacement options may also be limited by the current size and shape of your jaw bone.

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What If I’m Missing All Of My Upper Teeth?

A similar range of treatment options is also available for your upper jaw. However, because the bone is not as hard as that in the lower jaw, people often need more dental implants to support their new replacement teeth. Depending upon the number of implants to be placed, it may be possible to eliminate the need for covering the roof of your mouth with a complete denture. This option allows you to fully taste your food and gives you a better sense of its temperature. Your denture will feel more natural. You will still have a removable denture, which makes cleaning the support bar and denture much easier.

For more information about Dental Implants, or to make an appointment, please call use our Appointment Request form or call our office: Budrys Dental Office in Mentor OH Phone Number (440) 951-1318.