The biggest problem with lower dentures is that they don't stay put. They move all over, and tend to raise up when the lips, cheeks or tongue move. While a few people get along great with lower dentures, most, eventually lose so much bone that they simply can't wear a lower denture effectively. We've found that two or three implants placed in the front of the lower jaw can form the basis of a stable lower denture even for people who have almost no bone left in their lower jaws! When the implants are placed, they also serve the additional function of holding the bone in place, slowing the trend toward continuing loss of bone in the area.

Like our snap-retained overdentures, implant-retained dentures utilize a snap device in the top of the implant to hold the denture down, limiting movement, and also provide support for the denture. Of course, good health, adequate bone and several other requirements are necessary to consider the surgical placement of implants, but many who suffer from loose-lower dentures can find a solution by having implants placed and using them to secure the lower denture.

We now offer a fixed price service including a snap-in lower denture and two or three implants. The process takes some explaining, and, of course it's critical that you understand all the risks and potential problems before embarking on such a course of treatment. With that said, many patients who could never wear a lower denture effectively are beginning to be able to do so again with the help of implant-supported retention.

In our program, two or three implants are placed in the lower jaw. If you have teeth in the lower jaw initially, the cost is not fixed and becomes variable depending on the number and location of the teeth. There is a fixed fee schedule for those accepted for treatment (acceptance depending on health, oral condition and health history).

A new lower denture is fabricated in the week prior to the scheduled surgery. All surgeries are performed on Mondays at which time the implants are placed and fitted with "healing collars" extending through the gum and engaging the denture in a "trough" of soft acrylic plastic. No part of the hard plastic of the denture actually contacts the implants at this time.
. Post operative visits are required at 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks. More may be required depending on health history and healing progress. At 8-11 weeks, the dentures are "connected" to the implant's snaps.

The items that are not included in the single price include: