Preventing an existing full denture moving around

Problem

Loose conventional full denture
All teeth missing

• Unable to eat, speak or smile with confidence
• Denture needs to be fixed with cement daily
• Lateral movement due to shrinkage of supporting ‘ridge’
• Denture needs to be regularly replaced or relined

Solution

Implant stabilisation of conventional denture

• Two implants with locator abutments
• The locators simply hold the denture in position but do not support it
• The denture still rests on the gums beneath 
• Functions like a conventional denture, but without horizontal movement
• Cheaper than an implant-supported fixed or removable full arch denture
• Denture can be easily removed for cleaning
• Sometimes can use existing denture, but usually a new one is the best solution

Alternative

Continue with a full conventional denture

• Initially cheaper than an implant-supported restoration
• Bone supporting the gum beneath the denture will shrink due to lack of use
• The pressure from an unsupported conventional denture during chewing reduces the blood supply to the gums and contributes to accelerated bone shrinkage through resorption
• Lateral movement increases as underlining bone ridge shrinks
• Denture will need to be regularly relined or replaced
• Continuing impairment of eating, speech, confidence

Page compiled with assistance from Dr Pearse Stinson