Denture fabrication is a conventional method of restoring patients who have lost all their maxillary or mandibular teeth. Although this treatment may enhance esthetics and offers some improvement in function, it is inadequate for many patients. Chewing efficiency is drastically reduced.^1,2 Plastic on the palate can be invasive, diminish the ability to taste food, and trigger a gagging sensation. Lower dentures are often uncomfortable and loose-fitting, and in many cases move freely about the mouth. The psychological effect of losing all of one’s teeth can be devastating, impacting the comfort, confidence and social interactions of the patient.^3,4 These issues should be considered when discussing treatment options with patients.

Fortunately, dental implants can be predictably placed to support an overdenture, providing retention, added stability and an affordable alternative to conventional dentures. Compared to traditional complete dentures, implant-retained prostheses such as the Inclusive^® Implant Overdenture (Glidewell Laboratories; Newport Beach, Calif.) excel in producing the bite force needed for effective chewing.^5,6 In addition to improved speech and dental function, implant overdentures have been shown to dramatically increase social confidence, comfort and emotional well-being.^7,8,9 For patients, the prosthetic stability afforded by implant overdentures elicits a positive psychological response and an improved quality of life.^10,11 Delivering these bnefits to the patient is extremely rewarding to the dentist.

Bone loss is arguably the most detrimental consequence of edentulism. Following tooth loss, the bone regresses both horizontally and vertically. As these bone changes occur, prosthetic support and stability decreases, necessitating denture relinings. Further, as bone resorption worsens, support for the mouth and face is compromised (Fig. 1). The effect this can have on facial esthetics and self-esteem is difficult to overstate. By providing the edentulous ridge with continued stimulation, dental implants mitigate the bone loss that occurs in the absence of teeth.¹²

It has been shown that as many as 75% of denture wearers would have chosen implant treatment had they known about bone loss.¹³ Many edentulous patients present for treatment because they are no longer satisfied with their existing dentures. Others need new appliances because their old ones no longer fit properly due to bone loss. In comparison, an overwhelming majority of fully edentulous patients report extremely high levels of satisfaction with implant therapy and an improved attitude toward their dental health.¹⁴

For practitioners who regularly prescribe traditional dentures, implant overdentures are a logical point of entry for offering this life-changing service. The implant overdenture is a cost-effective solution to complete edentulism and should be presented as one of the primary treatment modalities to edentulous patients. The cost of implants has come down significantly over the years and the surgical protocol has been minimized to the point that implants can be placed promptly and efficiently. Although affordability is dependent on the patient’s desires and wherewithal, the implant-retained overdenture is one of the most economical ways of improving form and function. Further, implant therapy expands the services offered by the practice, increases income and drives incoming referrals due to the higher rates of patient satisfaction.

Like traditional dentures, implant overdentures are removable appliances that include prosthetic teeth. Unlike traditional dentures, maxillary overdentures are shaped like a horseshoe. This is a godsend for many patients, as the palate of the prosthesis can be eliminated (Figs. 2a, 2b). This affords better comfort, speech and taste. The advantage of the mandibular overdenture is obvious, in that the patient has a stable, retentive prosthesis that does not move around in the mouth. Note that for a small fee, a partial metal framework can be incorporated to lend additional support to the denture teeth and provide an extra measure of durability.

There are many ways of attaching the overdenture to the implants. One of the most efficient and cost-effective is the use of Locator^® attachments (Zest Anchors; Escondido, Calif.), which is the retention mechanism employed by the Inclusive Implant Overdenture. The system includes freestanding abutments, or Locator attachments, that connect to the individual implants. “Denture caps” are embedded in the overdenture and provide retention by seating over and engaging both the internal and external surfaces of the Locator attachments (Fig. 3). The retentive caps come in a variety of strengths and are easily changed out as the parts wear or the patient requests greater retention. By stabilizing the overdenture, these retentive devices improve function and chewing efficiency for the patient.

The fabrication of Locator Implant Overdentures begins with careful diagnosis and case planning. In many cases, two-dimensional images created using conventional digital radiography are appropriate to determine the vertical height of available bone (Figs. 4a, 4b). However, horizontal bone quantity and anatomic concerns must be determined by other means. These are key considerations not only because avoiding vital patient anatomy is critical, but also because the positioning of the implants greatly influences the final functional and esthetic result.

CBCT scanning techniques have improved our diagnostic abilities dramatically, allowing the practitioner to visualize all dimensions of the edentulous bone. Quality and quantity of bone can typically be determined prior to surgical intervention, and the vital anatomy can be specified (Fig. 5). Any bone volume issues or defects can also be determined, as well as implant type, size and shape. Once properly situated within the available bone, endosseous dental implants with appropriate retention designs serve as reliable retainers for overdentures and are proven to provide a positive long-term prognosis.¹⁵

The amount of anterior premaxillary bone needs to be determined with conventional radiographs, bone calipers or CBCT analysis. This helps determine the height and width of existing bone in the potential surgical sites. Placement of dental implants in the maxilla may be hindered by the size and position of the right and left maxillary sinuses. As teeth are lost in the posterior maxilla, bone is lost vertically. Implants must be placed in the remaining viable bone. As teeth are lost in the mandible, bone will recede apically and lingually. This may lead to an inability to position implants away from the mandibular nerve. Because of this, mandibular implants are often placed toward the anterior — in the symphysis and in front of the mental foramen (Fig. 6).

Angulation of implants also needs to be carefully considered. It is imperative that the implants used to retain an overdenture using individual Locator attachments be placed as parallel as possible in all three dimensions across the long axis of the bone (Figs. 7a, 7b). Failure to do so can result in decreased retention, problems seating the prosthesis, and increased wear on the Locator attachments.

The basic treatment protocol utilized in the fabrication of Locator Implant Overdentures is straightforward. Many of the restorative steps incorporate conventional denture techniques and will thus be familiar to GPs accustomed to treating fully edentulous patients.

In the edentulous maxilla a minimum of four dental implants should be placed. When treatment planning mandibular restorations, the clinician has more flexibility and the option of placing two or more implants to support an overdenture (Figs. 8a–8c). This decision can hinge upon the amount of bone that is available and the finances of the patient. The mandibular symphysis area often provides favorable bone quality and quantity for implant placement. Although two implants with Locator attachments indeed provide increased retention of the overdenture, the more implants that are placed around the arch, the better the stability of the prosthesis.

The number of implants can also depend on the physical nature of the patient. A smaller person may only require two implants to establish prosthetic stability, while a larger person with heavier jaws and a stronger bite relation may require more. Note that, when allowed for by sufficient bone volume, spacing the implants around the edentulous jaw in an arch-form helps maximize anterior-posterior stability (Figs. 9a, 9b). When determining mesial-distal implant positioning for an overdenture, practitioners should be mindful that the distal cantilevers of the prosthesis should be approximately 1.5 times the A-P spread (Fig. 10). Essentially, the greater the A-P spread, the more stable the prosthesis. The All-on-4 configuration is commonly used to establish adequate spacing around the arch by tilting the posterior-most implants axially to avoid vital patient anatomy or accommodate limited bone while increasing the anterior-posterior spread.

Practitioners may want to consider placing enough implants to later upgrade the patient to a fixed prosthesis. This involves placing four or more implants and establishing an anterior-posterior spread greater than 10 mm. The cost of the screw-retained hybrid denture or monolithic zirconia implant restoration is significantly higher than that of an overdenture, but some patients may eventually want to transition to a nonremovable appliance.

At the final delivery appointment, the implant overdenture is seated over the Locator attachments, and the fit, retention and occlusion of the appliance are confirmed (Fig. 16). The black processing inserts are then removed from the metal housings in which they are embedded in the overdenture (Fig. 17). The appropriate retentive caps are selected and seated into the metal housings, and engage the Locator attachments firmly upon final delivery of the appliance (Figs. 18a–18c). The end result is a dramatic improvement of the patient’s chewing function and efficiency, as well as quality of life. The attachments are easily maintained by the patient with brushing or a simple wipe with a washcloth.

For clinicians looking to provide their edentulous patients with better function, stability and quality of life, the Locator Implant Overdenture is an excellent, cost-effective option. The restorative protocol is relatively easy to learn and presents an accessible gateway to implant therapy and the tremendous benefits it affords both the patient and the practice.