Anyone who has ever had to wear a denture understands how frustrating it is when the denture will not stay in place. Whether its poor tissue support or poorly fitting dentures, the transition from natural teeth to a removable set of teeth can be traumatic. The transition can take a long time and it is dependant upon the patients willingness to accept this change.

It is a fact that patients wearing full dentures do not have the same feel, taste, and ability to distinguish different texture while chewing as they did when they had their natural teeth. Patient's diet often change as soft, starch-based food is easier to consume. This can affect patient's overall health, and is one of the main reasons why patients will give up wearing dentures completely or wear them when needed.

Dental implants can reduce or even eliminate these acquired problems. With use of implants patients will adapt to the new prosthesis, which will allow them to function more comfortably. Denture stability obtained with the help of dental implants is exceptional. Fabrication of either a fixed bridge (which consists of multiple crowns that are permanently cemented), or a removable denture which is attached to implants can provide a great esthetic and functional alternative to conventional dentures.  With increased stability and less plastic covering the tissue, patient comfort and taste is improved and the transition from natural teeth to implant supported teeth can be more comfortable.

Number of implants for Optimal Denture Retention and Stability

Upper and lower jaws are anatomically structured differently.  The bone in the upper jaw which is part of the skull is more porous and not as dense as the lower jaw.  The lower jaw is a separate anatomical structure and it has very dense bone.  Because of this different number of implants are required to support a denture.

The upper jaw, because of more porous structure, usually requires a minimum of four implants to provide the upper denture with uniform retention and stability.  The lower jawbone being dense and more compact usually requires only two dental implants to obtain desired result.

Each individual is anatomically different and the number of dental implants required for a desirable result can depend on other factors.  These include the amount of bone present, the type of bone present, the natural anatomy of the jaw, anatomical variations, and proximity to vital anatomical structures.  For example, if a patient has been wearing full dentures (false teeth) for an extended period of time, greater number of smaller diameter implants would have to be used.  We are all structured differently and the dentist and surgeon should make the final determination as to the number of dental implants required.