Overdenture

A denture on pillars

You will receive an overdenture. That is a big change, because your new prosthesis plays an important role in chewing and speaking. In addition, your artificial teeth are very important for your appearance. After all, your teeth are your first eye-catcher. With 'ordinary' dentures no roots of your own teeth are used; with an overdenture, yes. These work as a kind of pillars under the dentures and give the prosthesis something to hold on to and support.

Some roots of your teeth are used as pillars
Shrinking of the jaws with an overdenture

About fifteen percent of the Dutch population aged sixteen and older wear partial or full 'ordinary' dentures. Almost one third of these people regularly have problems with it. Over time, dentures often no longer fit properly. This is usually due to the shrinking of the jaws. This creates space between the denture and the jaw. The dentures then become increasingly loose.

If some roots of your teeth are preserved, the shrinking of your jaws can be prevented to a large extent. The pressure created by chewing is absorbed by the toothless jaws of 'ordinary' dentures. With an overdenture, this is largely absorbed by the roots under the dentures. As a result, the jaws shrink less quickly.

With an overdenture, your jaws shrink less quickly
How is the treatment for a denture overdenture?

Pretreatments
Before the dentist can make the overdenture, he must carry out a number of preparations, the so-called pre-treatments.

Choosing the roots
First, the dentist carefully examines which roots of your teeth or molars can best be used. Often these are the roots of the fangs. To properly assess the quality of your roots, your dentist will take x-rays.

Pulling the molars
Usually your dentist will then pull the molars that he does not use under the overdenture. After pulling, the wounds should be given some time to heal. Your front teeth will therefore remain in place for the time being.

In the beginning it is a bit difficult without choosing. But you will see that it won't be too bad soon. If not, contact your dentist. Shortly after the extraction of your molars, the wounds have not yet healed properly. Then it is best to take soft foods. After that you can try to eat what you used to.

The pre-treatment of the roots
The teeth or molars whose roots are used usually receive a pre-treatment. Each root has a cavity inside. Your dentist cleans and fills it. So he performs a root canal treatment. This prevents inflammation at the roots later on. Sometimes this treatment has already been performed in the past. Then your dentist usually does not have to do this again.

Making the overdenture

Make prints

The prosthesis can be fitted by a dentist; however, it may also be that a prosthodontist does this. A dental technician is originally a dental technician who specializes in treating patients with dentures.

An impression of your jaw is made using an impression tray filled with a special impression material. In the dental laboratory, the impression is filled with plaster. This creates a plaster model on which the prosthesis can be made. Sometimes a second print is needed. Then a well-fitting synthetic resin impression tray is made on the plaster model. Another impression is made with this spoon to obtain an even more accurate plaster model. Your overdenture is made on this.

Contact between upper and lower jaw
During a subsequent visit, the dentist determines the position of your upper and lower jaw in relation to each other. He determines how the artificial teeth and molars in the upper and lower dentures should make contact with each other, so that you can chew properly with your overdenture.

Color, position and shape of the artificial teeth
Are you satisfied with the colour, shape and position of your own teeth? Or maybe not? Inform your practitioner about this before the overdenture is made. Your practitioner can of course also advise you on this. He will try to take your wishes into account as much as possible.

The final stage
Before the dentist can place your dentures in your mouth, he has to do two more things. First he grinds the teeth and molars, which will function as pillars for the overdenture, to just above the gums. Only the root of such a tooth remains. He closes the pre-treated root canal with a filling. Then your dentist will extract the remaining teeth that have remained in your mouth. Immediately afterwards, he places the overdenture. So you don't have to worry about going without teeth for some time.

You get a complete set of new artificial teeth over the roots and fresh wounds of the extracted teeth. You may find that a strange idea, but this has a great advantage. In the beginning, the overdenture is placed on the wounds as a kind of bandage. Your dentist will then make an appointment with you after one or two days. He will check your mouth and remedy any complaints.

Making an impression with an impression tray
The root canal of the tooth (l) is pre-treated (m), the tooth is ground down and filled (r)
The first days with the overdenture

Bleeding

The wounds may still bleed a little during the first hours after the extraction of your last teeth. This can turn your saliva red. This will stop pretty soon. Then the saliva will also return to its normal color. That doesn't mean the wounds are completely healed. It is also better not to rinse for the first 24 hours. This is because blood clots form in the wounds of the extracted teeth. When you flush, those clots dislodge and the bleeding starts again. Drinking is allowed.

There is a small chance that the bleeding will not stop despite the precautions taken. Then warn your dentist. Also contact us if you are in pain. Don't just take any painkiller. Some pain relievers can actually make bleeding worse. Discuss with your dentist what you should or should not do during the first 24 hours.

Appearance
When you look in the mirror, you probably have to get used to it. Your mouth is an important eye-catcher and it has changed. Take a few days to get used to it and then assess how you will look with your new dentures.

Pain
The first few days your dentures will not really sit well. It can cause clamping and pain. However, you should definitely not take it out of your mouth, because it is like a bandage on the wounds. Chewing, in particular, can cause pain in the beginning. Only eat soft things, such as mashed potatoes, minced meat and soft fruit.

Getting used to the overdenture

Shortly after fitting, you will visit the dentist and the overdenture may be removed from your mouth for the first time. Your dentist will clean the wounds if necessary. He can make small corrections to your dentures that can significantly reduce or eliminate pain. To clean your mouth, you can rinse it gently with lukewarm water. You can add a little salt if you like. You can also use a mouthwash with chlorhexidine available at the drugstore. Rinsing with lukewarm chamomile tea is also very good. The wounds will heal and any existing pain will disappear. You will then slowly get used to your overdenture. That takes time. One will get used to faster than the other. Do you have a lot of trouble with it? Ask your dentist for advice.

Food
Eating with your new overdenture is somewhat uncomfortable. You will have to be careful, especially in the beginning. You yourself experience the best of what is possible and what is not. Try to slowly start eating harder things. It is better not to bite off pieces with dentures. Therefore cut your food into pieces and chew calmly and evenly with the artificial teeth. Take a piece of food in the mouth on both sides. Take more time than you are used to.

To talk
In the beginning you talk a little awkwardly. It's like talking with your mouth full. Certain sounds sound different than you are used to. This is normal. Usually it gets a lot better after a few days. Practice extra with those words or letters that don't quite sound to your liking yet. For example, read the newspaper aloud.

Try to slowly start eating harder things
Regular cleaning of the overdenture

If you are allowed to remove your overdenture, you must clean it thoroughly, especially the roots, after every meal and before going to sleep. Food residues and dental plaque easily remain on the dentures, but also underneath, on the roots and the mucous membrane on which your dentures rest. If you do not remove these, holes will form in the roots and the gums around the roots will become inflamed. As a result, they can cause pain, become loose and even lost.

The overdenture
Food residues and dental plaque on the inside and outside of the overdenture are best removed using a special denture brush. Do not use toothpaste or denture cleaner, but soap and water. Toothpaste can be too abrasive. Clean dentures always feel smooth. Don't let your dentures slip out of your hands while cleaning. It will break. To be on the safe side, first fill the sink with water or place a towel in it and clean your dentures above it.

You can consider placing your dentures overnight in a weakly acting denture cleaner (for example from ®Ecosym) a few times a week. This prevents discoloration, caused by tea or red wine, for example, and the formation of tartar on your dentures. Then brush your dentures well and rinse them with water. Never put your dentures in hot water and do not use aggressive denture cleaners, especially bleach or abrasives.

Also clean the roots and your mouth
In the beginning, if the wounds have not completely healed, rinse your mouth with a little lukewarm water after each meal. Then brush the roots and mucous membrane of the jaws at least twice a day with a soft toothbrush. It is best to use regular fluoride toothpaste.

Brush the pillars with a soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste
Clean your dentures after every meal
Remove your dentures at night

Your jaws need some time to get used to the overdenture. Leave your dentures in your mouth at night for the first week. After that, it is better to take it off before going to sleep. That way you also give your jaws a rest. Do you find it annoying to sleep with an empty mouth? Then only remove your lower teeth. Would you rather wear your upper and lower denture day and night? Then have your mouth and roots checked by your dentist at least once every six months.

Do you not have the dentures in your mouth? Then clean it well and store dry in a sealed container or wet in a glass of water. Change the water every day! Optionally, you can add a weak cleaning agent. Always rinse the dentures well with water before putting them back in your mouth.

Adjustments to the overdenture

After some time you will feel that your dentures are a little looser. That's right. The wounds have healed and your jaws have shrunk a little. This creates space between your jaw and your dentures. After about six weeks, or rather a little longer, the dentist can adjust your dentures. He can put a new layer or 'lining' in your dentures to make it more solid again. In most cases you will then have to miss your dentures for one or two days.

Once a prosthesis, forever ready?

Over time you will get used to your new artificial teeth, but this will not last. Your mouth changes because your jaws shrink. Your dentures will remain the same size.
This creates a lot of space between your overdenture and your jaw, as a result of which your dentures will eventually become looser. If your dentures no longer fit properly, they can be replaced
pressure on some places on your jaw more than others. That can cause pain. Then go to your dentist. Do not sand or file your overdenture yourself! In such a case, your dentist will adjust your dentures or advise you to make a new overdenture. This is often necessary after a year.

Your jaws shrink, which loosens your dentures
The shrinking of your jaws goes very unnoticed
Checking your overdenture

It is necessary that you go to your dentist once every six months for a check-up. The dentist checks the roots, your jaws and the overdenture. In addition, he can assist you in cleaning. He may also be able to remedy minor defects in the roots and the overdenture that you do not immediately notice yourself.

Additional provisions for a denture overdenture

Over time, it sometimes turns out that your overdenture has less grip than you expected. Sometimes your dentist can make extra arrangements. For example, he can put push buttons in the roots and in the dentures or put gold caps on the roots, which he connects with each other with a rod. In the dentures he inserts a sleeve that fits exactly over this rod. As a result, the dentures can, as it were, be clicked into place. This system, just like the push buttons, can give the overdenture much more hold. In both cases you need a completely new set of dentures.

Extra features: push buttons (l) and a bar (r)
Easy transition to 'regular' dentures

In principle, overdentures have the same shape and dimensions as 'ordinary' dentures. Therefore, in the unlikely event that the roots are lost, the overdenture can easily be changed into one 'ordinary' dentures. Only a small adjustment is needed. You don't have to get used to these custom dentures for very long. In addition, the dentures still feel familiar.