It won't come as a surprise to learn that an implant-supported denture is supported by and attached to a dental implant, but here's a little more from our Surrey dentists on these fabulous tooth replacements.
What exactly are dentures?
Dentures are dental prosthetics that replace missing teeth. Most dentures are supported by the soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity (your gums), and are removable.
What are dental implants?
Dental implants act as replacements for the roots of missing teeth. They are tiny titanium rods that are implanted directly into the jaw bone where the roots of the missing teeth would be. When dental implants are capped with a dental crown, they become permanent and natural looking replacements for missing teeth. Dental implants are a popular option for replacing missing teeth because they look and feel very much like natural teeth do.
So, how do dentures and dental implants work together?
Regular dentures rest on the gums and are not supported by implants. Implant-supported dentures are a good option for people who don't have any teeth, but have enough bone in the jaw to support the implants.
Special implant-supported dentures have attachments that snap onto corresponding attachments on the implants. These attachments hold the denture securely in place.
Since dentures for the lower jaw tend to be less stable, implant-supported dentures are usually made for the lower jaw. That said, you can get implant-supported denture in either the low or upper jaw.