You’re at a loved one’s birthday party, enjoying yourself, but you’re still thinking about your dentures. Are they going to move when you talk? Will you need more adhesive before you eat? Are there certain foods you would rather avoid altogether? Those are common frustrations with traditional dentures. At West Wind Dental, Dr. Robert Ellis offers implant-retained overdentures as another option. Often called “snap-in” dentures, they attach to mini implants with O-ring housings that help hold the denture in place. You can still remove them for cleaning, but they provide much more stability and comfort than a traditional denture.
If you are wondering whether overdentures are right for you, start by thinking about the problems you want to solve and what you hope treatment will improve.
To help you get a head start on your treatment plan, we’ve provided an overdenture checklist for you to print and bring to your free consultation with Dr. Ellis.
Signs Overdentures Could Be Right for You
Think about what is actually bothering you about your dentures. Maybe they move when you eat, you rely on adhesive, or there are foods you have stopped eating altogether. These details help Dr. Robert Ellis understand what you are dealing with and what you would like to improve.
Does Your Denture Slip or Click When You Eat or Talk?
If your denture moves or clicks when you chew, you know how frustrating that can be. A loose denture can make it harder to eat the foods you want and may keep you from chewing as well as you should. Over time, that can affect what you eat and how comfortable you feel at the table.
Do You Depend on Adhesives to Get Through the Day?
If you have to depend on denture adhesive every day, you know what a hassle it can be. It can feel bulky, make a mess, and even affect how food tastes, especially with an upper denture that covers the roof of your mouth. With a mini implant overdenture, the denture snaps into place, so you do not have to rely on adhesives to keep it stable.
Are You Missing Most or All of Your Teeth on Your Upper or Lower Jaw?
As of 2024, the CDC found that 15.2% of U.S. adults age 65 and older had lost all their teeth. When teeth are missing, you can start to see changes in how you chew, speak, and even in the shape of your face as the bone begins to shrink. Teeth are also meant to work together and share the pressure of chewing. As Dr. Ellis puts it, “Teeth function best when they have buddies.”
Has Your Jawline or Face Changed Shape Since You Lost Your Teeth?
When you lose teeth, the jawbone no longer gets the same stimulation it once did. Over time, that bone can shrink in height and width. As you lose that support, you may start to notice changes in the shape of your jaw, chin, or face.
Do You Want Overdentures You Can Remove and Care for Yourself?
A removable overdenture gives you a lot more stability while still letting you take it out when you want to. Cleaning is pretty straightforward: brush the denture, clean around the housings, and brush the tops of the implants. You also do not need to soak it overnight.
Is Your Current Denture Still Sturdy and Free of Cracks?
You may not need an entirely new denture to get more stability. If your current denture is still strong and in good shape, Dr. Ellis can often retrofit your existing denture to work with mini implants by adding the O-ring housings. In some cases, he can also remove the palate from an upper denture. Reusing your existing denture can help keep treatment more affordable, although Dr. Ellis will first make sure it is strong enough to handle the added chewing force.
If you’ve answered “yes” to two or more of these questions, we want to invite you in to talk to Dr. Ellis about your options.
Bring Your Overdentures Checklist In and Let’s Talk
You should be able to eat and talk without constantly worrying about your dentures moving around. If you are dealing with slipping, adhesive, or foods you cannot comfortably eat, an overdenture may be worth looking into.
When you come in, Dr. Robert Ellis will evaluate your bone, overall health, healing ability, and current denture to see what options make sense for you.
Schedule a free consultation at West Wind Dental, bring your checklist, and find out whether an overdenture could give you the added stability and comfort you are looking for.
