Missing All Lower Teeth
Although many patients have no problem wearing an upper denture, some people find it difficult to wear and eat with lower dentures. Several implant-supported replacement options are available if you are missing all of your lower teeth.
Ball Attachment Denture
Bar Attachment Denture
Screw Retained Denture
Individual Implants
Implant Retained Upper Denture
Individual Upper Implants
Ball Attachment Denture
One option is to have two implants placed in your lower jaw and a denture made that snaps onto these implants. This option allows your lower denture to be more stable while chewing than without implants. However, there will still be movement of your lower denture, and sore spots will occur if any food particles, especially seeds, are caught under it. As with all removable replacement teeth, you still will need periodic appointments for denture adjustment.
1. Before
2. Implants Placed
3. Denture Attached
Bar Attachment Denture
Another option involves placing four to six implants, depending on your jaw size or shape, into your lower jaw. After healing is complete, the implants are connected with a custom-made support bar. Your denture will be made with special internal retention clips that attach onto the support bar, enabling the denture to snap firmly into place. This is called an “overdenture.” The advantage of this option is that it is much more stable than the first option and allows very little denture movement. Your denture is still removable for easy cleaning and maintenance.
1. Before
2. Implants Placed
3. Denture Attached
Screw Retained Denture
A third option involves placing five or more implants in your jaw and attaching a permanent denture. Your denture is held in place by screws or clasps that secure it to the support posts or bar. It doesn’t touch the gum tissue, which allows you to clean under the denture without removing it. This denture will replace all your missing lower teeth and will not be removed except at maintenance visits. Although cleaning under your denture without removing it is more time consuming and requires more dexterity, many patients who want a permanent denture prefer this option.
1. Before
2. Implants Placed
3. Denture Attached
Individual Implants
The final option is to have all your teeth individually replaced so that they will appear to be growing out of your gum tissue and will most closely resemble the appearance of your natural teeth. This option usually requires eight or more implants. Separate abutments or support posts for each one of these implants will be made and crowns for each missing tooth will be placed. The teeth are often joined together for sinus grafting to replace bone height strength and support. Overall, this is the most costly option, because it requires the most implants and individual replacement tooth fabrication. Your replacement options may also be limited by the current size and shape of your jawbone.
1. Before
2. Implants Placed
3. Healing Completed
What if I’m missing all of my upper teeth?
A similar range of treatment options is also available for your upper jaw. However, because the bone is not as hard as that in the lower jaw, people often need more implants to support their new replacement teeth. Depending upon the number of implants to be placed, it may be possible to eliminate the need for covering the roof of your mouth with a complete denture. This option allows you to fully taste your food and gives you a better sense of its temperature. Your denture will feel more natural. You will still have a removable denture, which makes cleaning the support bar and denture much easier.
Implant Retained Upper Denture
Depending upon the number of implants to be placed, it may be possible to eliminate the need for covering the roof of your mouth with a complete denture. This option allows you to fully taste your food and gives you a better sense of its temperature. Your denture will feel more natural. You will still have a removable denture, which makes cleaning the support bar and denture much easier.
Individual Upper Implants
If you want a restoration that is similar to your natural teeth and therefore not removable, you probably will need eight to ten individual implantsplaced. This is followed after healing by the placement of the abutments and new replacement crowns.
Don’t Settle for Missing Teeth!
Dental implants are natural-looking replacement teeth that can renew your smile. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Puget Sound Oral Surgery
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I would give Dr. Stivers & his Assistant Tina 10 Stars! I had been dealing with an infected tooth since the end of February, and due to COVID-19 hitting Seattle, kept not being able to get an appointment for Oral Surgery where I go for dental care. I took two rounds of antibiotics as I kept trying and trying to get an appointment. On April 2nd, the tooth got worse and my Primary Care Doctor gave me more antibiotics. I continued to keep calling everywhere to get an appointment with an Oral Surgeon, and on Friday, April 3rd I called Dr. Stivers office and they agreed to treat me and I was scheduled for April 6th. Dr. Strivers and Tina came in just to treat me, and they were wonderful. It was a tooth under a bridge and Dr. Strivers did a great job of getting it out. After I got home, he and his office called to see how I was doing and he kept stressing that I could call or text him anytime. What a wonderful, caring Dentist! I so appreciated Dr. Stivers getting back to me so rapidly, and his assurances that I could contact him anytime. What had become a painful and frightening experience for me was resolved finally with kindness and expertise. I have healed well, and I can't thank Dr. Stivers and Tina enough for agreeing to open the clinic and treat me, so thank you both from the bottom of my heart for what you did for me
- Janice W
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If I could give them 6 stars I would! Dr. Stivers was so kind and down to earth. I’m usually seconds away from a freak out the moment I step into any dental office but him and his entire staff put me at ease the moment I walked in the door. I was surprised at how effortless everything was. From scheduling the appointment to the procedure itself. Big thumbs up!
- Ronianne O
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I was so impressed with how well everything went. I had almost no pain the same day and next day I am only a little soar in the jaw. I've needed hardly any pain meds or icing and I have almost no swelling. I can't help but tell everyone what a breeze it was getting my wisdom teeth out with your office. I appreciate your office enormously!
- Elana H
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Overall the experience was great! I was referred by my regular doctor and scheduling was a breeze. Everything I needed was promptly handled, including calling in prescriptions for medicine pre-procedure. Pricing and payment were fairly and promptly handled. All charges were clearly explained and my permission was obtained for all extra charges beyond what my insurance covered. Overall I had an awesome experience and would recommend Dr. Stiver's office to others who need similar procedures done.
- Natalie W
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Awesome service, felt very safe and taken care of by all the staff
- Avery K
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Scheduling my initial appointment was easy! The receptionist helped me figure out my out of pocket costs and scheduled a consultation for me, and then I was able to schedule my extraction in office. In all, I believe the appointment itself took no longer than 2 hours. Staff were very detailed regarding aftercare and told me to call any time with questions or concerns. I would recommend them to anyone!
- Molly V
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Great service!
- John H
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I am very grateful for the prompt service, friendly staff, comprehensive information and excellent professional treatment I received. Dr Stivers and his crew went out of their way at an awkward time on short notice and still provided me with excellent care.
- Eric G
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Very professinal and friendly service
- Kingsley
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Very good experience. Everyone was professional and friendly. Dr. Stivers was the first doctor to administer local anesthesia without the feel of the pinch for me. Totally recommend.
- Flavian C
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Thank you for such a great experience. I was really dreading getting my wisdom teeth out, but all of the staff was so awesome and totally made me feel comfortable. I am telling all of my friends who have been putting it off to just go to Puget Sound Oral Surgery and get it over with!
- Melissa M
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My daughter moved from Alabama to Seattle last year after college. I called several OS offices and was most comfortable with your office ... being a Mom with a daughter living over two thousand miles away from you is hard enough but when they have to have wisdom teeth out .... But your office staff made me feel so at ease and Camille said she lived the office and staff as well. Thank you for taking care for her and me !
- Paula T
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Great service, friendly staff, all necessary information provided, all procedures explained. My wisdom teeth removal was quick and almost painless (local injection, obviously, hurt a little). Quick recovery period!
- Yuliya R
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Great overall experience
- Maryjane B
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Great experience
- Yumeng M
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Thank you for getting my daughter in right away with her wisdom teeth pain. It's a relief to have them out. We'll see you next summer with my son.
- Laura W
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I was so nervous to get my wisdom teeth removed, I waited painful 6 months to find the perfect fit. Puget Sound Oral Surgery was the perfect fit. Everyone was extremely kind and diligent.
- Shawnice D
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Everything went smoothly. Thanks!
- Stewart M