Daryl E. Malena DDS
  Periodontics
10838 Old Mill Road
Omaha, Nebraska 68154
402 330 4100

The lower arch presents much different problems.  The tongue and the muscles that attach it to the mandible (the lower jaw bone) severely limit the retention area available on the lower arch and do not allow for very much suction effect to be developed.  Much of the retention of a lower denture is derived from the fact that we touch our teeth together every time we swallow--about once every twenty seconds (We don't touch our teeth when we speak, and seldom when we eat), and that contact pushes the lower denture down on to the lower ridge of bone. 

After many years of being edentulous (without lower teeth), the ridge essentially disappears leaving no raised ridge of bone to keep the denture in place.  In addition, the act of swallowing now actually raises the denture off of any remaining bone because it involves tightening of the muscles under the tongue.  At this stage many patients are forced to consider not wearing their lower denture much at all because it is uncomfortable and not really much use in chewing.

Of course these patients would benefit greatly by replacing their missing lower teeth with implants, but at the cost may be $10,000-20,000 and not many can afford it.  The cost-effective option is to place only two implants with attachments installed into the existing lower denture.  This solution allows the denture to rest on the remaining (flat) lower ridge, but eliminates movement and any need to use denture adhesives.  Patients with this implant solution are generally very happy with the results.

There are at least two different implant options for this solution to lower denture retention, and several types of attachments to connect the denture.  We communicate with your dentist to determine the best combination for your situation.. 

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