Bar Overdenture: Guidance on Space Considerations?
I am treatment planning my first bar overdenture and I would like to get some expert guidance from the experienced users. Â Here are some questions I’d like to get feedback on. How much interarch space do I need — measuring from the alveolar bone height to the opposing incisal contacts? How much space do I estimate for the thickness of the gingiva over the alveolar ridge? Â How much space is required for oral hygiene between the height of the gingiva and the bottom of the bar? Â How much space is required for occluso-gingival height of the bar itself? Â How much space is required for the denture teeth and acrylic saddle? Â Do I need more space if I have a metal framework in the saddle areas?
3 Comments on Bar Overdenture: Guidance on Space Considerations?
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Peter McKenna
4/11/2012
First of all you need to determine the vertical dimension to measure how much space is available.
Next place the implants a little mesial to the canine region after applying a measuring caliper to the alveolus in this immediate area.(raising a flap is safest in order not to stray off the correct trajectory).
The space under the bar should be sufficient to allow the insertion of an interdental brush.
You can work out how much space is available from the intial VD measurement.
Lots of fun and success.
Richard Hughes, DDS, FAAI
4/11/2012
Read some implant pros books.
Carlos Boudet DDS
4/11/2012
Hi:
Grab a copy of Inside Dentistry Magazine April 2012 issue(or look at it online).
There is a small article on the mandibular bar overdenture that may help you.
Here are some tips:
For a tipical bar overdenture you need 12 to 15 mm of interarch space.
You want the bar as close to the soft tissue as possible but not touching.
You do not need to estimate the thickness of the gingiva over the alveolar ridge, you can wax the bar directly to a gold coping on the implant.
And you do not need more space if you have a metal framework in the saddle area as this is usually the place where the greatest space exists.
Adding a metal framework to a tipical overdenture is not required and will complicate things.
Hope this helps.
