Dental Implant Overdenture

Should those two implants be connected for that lower overdenture?

What about Telescopic Restorations?

Do you mean over teeth or with use of implants and no retentive features.

I use ball attacments "Spheroflex" over Branmark or MIDA Implants. They have a 6º turn over 360º and distributes the forces. It is very simple to make and optimal results.

I stsrted using bars about 14 years ago and found over time there was failure due to loosening of the screw abutements. I was able to repair the failures; however I now use only stand alone era.

I prefer using two ERA implant attachments on the two implants. However, if possible three or four implants offer more long term stability (with either 4 independent attachments or a bar.

I use Zimmer or Endopore implants in these cases. I use their ball abutment head, but I don't use the attachment that comes with these. Instead, I use medium-sized O-rings with metal keepers and process these into the denture. The retention is excellent, and so far I have had lasting results. I have talked to others who use the firmer attachments that come with these implants, and they have had the implants loosen. I think it is fine to attach two implants with a bar, but I don't think it is necessary, and it adds a lot of cost to the case.

It seems that most people agree, a bar is not necessary in the mandible but in the maxilla a bar may be necessary due to bone quality.

I have been using ITI fixtures and a clip bar in the lower with great results. care free. Little to no adjustments. great retention. remember, two fixtures allows the case to be implant retained, not implant supported. the posterior denture moves some and rotates. No stress to the fixtures. Yes, lab cost is greater.

Great point.....implant retained not implant supported

Two implants connected are twice as strong as 2 separately loaded.

Are we sure that 2 implants are twice as strong when connected. Doesn't the articles show that the forced are transmited to the other implant with a lever action and therefore even more stress?

There is no question that bar retained overdentures have been around much longer than individual attachments and in my hands have a great track record. The decision to make a bar vs. using studs, Locator, Zaag, ERA, etc. has to do with how much support you feel the patient needs. Removeable implant prosthetics are classified as fully soft tissue supported, (balls NO SUPPORT) partially soft tissue supported (Bars ie Hader SOME SUPPORT)or completely implant borne prosthetics (Milled Bars or Konus Crowns TOTAL SUPPORT).

Please offer comments about growth of the soft tissue into so called “negative spaces.” i.e. space between the bar and the oral mucosa.

How implants should be used to support lower denture if the bone posteriorly nearly completely resorbed ?

have 4 surgical implants complete: Which is most expensive in cost for denture? 1) complete denture - mandibula implant supported overdenture with Hader Bar, abutment hard wear locator, lab fees or 2) complete denture - LOCATOR overdenture abutment, lab fees

There was a recent study done by Dr. Vicki Petropoulos at the University of Pennsylvania comparing load distribution for implant overdenture attachments. This study clearly showed that free standing abutments trasmitted much less force to the implants themselves than bar restorations. This study can be found in the International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants 2002 for those interested.

Do three non-connected implants give any advantage over 2. Is doing 3 not recommended because of assymetric forces on the mandible? Say a molar area on each side and one in the premolar/canine area.

More important is to know the ability of an old patient to take in and out his denture with any overdenture system.

I have had the lower mdi placed 3 weeks now the side I chew on is looses the other side is more stable I know they are placed because they are hard to get out I was wondering do the o rings fail? if so can I replace them if so how and where do I get them to do it?

I apoligize for not using the proper dental terminolgy... I have 4 implants on the lower jaw with a complete overdenture, I had a bar for 2 years and I would have to go back to my dentist every 6 to 8 weeks for adjustments, as the denture would become loose. In Jan '07 I went back for an adjustment whereas, an impression was made and the bar and denture was sent to the lab. I received the bar & denture back & my dentist had to make a chairside adjustment (as always, the lab has never returned the denture & bar and the 3 clips properly fit)my dentist has always done chairside adjustments. After 15 days the bar broke. I go back to my dentist and we decide to use the ball system. An impression & the denture is again sent to the lab. After one week the denture is again loose. The dentist re adjusts & re-glues the screw receivers and after 2 weeks the screw is loose, I go to the oral surgeon and find out the wrong size screws were used. I am at wits end to know what to do. I have made, since mid January through March 27, 2007, 10 trips back to my dentist for adjustments. I haven't been charged for any of these adjustments. I was wandering if another dentist or lab could help. Thanks Grace

after implant surgery, has anyone heard of an object appearing to be white in the sinus cavity? it appears on both a ct scan and in a panarex. it was not there before the dental work. this object is going to be removed by ent sinus surgeon. any ideas?

Dear Sue, An image appearing to be white in a ct scan or panorex is a radiopaque image. The whiter or more radio-opaque the image is, the denser the object you are viewing is. If this image appeared immediately after implant surgery (compare the pre op x-rays with the post op x-rays) it could be a fragment of bone tissue, or surgical instrument displaced during the surgery. In any case the dentist who performed the surgery should have a better explanation for you. Hope this helps.