What are fixed dentures?

What are permanent dentures?

Picture by Authority Dental under CC 2.0 license

Permanent dentures are held in place by at least two titanium dental implants. Some implant-retained dentures are still removable but benefit from the stability of being snapped onto the implants. Permanent dentures, however, are fixed in place and never need to be removed.

Permanent dentures are highly stable and will not move when chewing, biting, talking, or smiling. The dental implants integrate with the surrounding bone, and then the permanent dentures are fixed to the implants. This results in a permanent solution for edentulous arches.

The most popular fixed denture option is All-on-4 implants. As their name implies, this type of appliance uses four implants to support an entire arch of teeth.

Fixed dentures candidate profile

Not everyone is a good candidate for fixed dentures. However, most patients can make lifestyle changes to become ideal candidates.

First, individuals who smoke should not consider implants prior to smoking cessation. Implants have a high success rate - 98% - but that success rate is drastically reduced in those who smoke. Smoking impedes the body’s ability to heal, which will interfere with the osseointegration between the dental implant and the bone.

The same is also true for people with uncontrolled diabetes. This condition will inhibit the healing process and can lead to other oral conditions, such as periodontal disease, also known as gum disease. As long as the diabetes is controlled, dental implants are a viable option.

With traditional dentures, patients needed sufficient remaining bone to serve as a supporting structure. Patients with advanced bone loss had difficulty wearing dentures because the ridge was no longer there to help keep them in place.

Implants are an excellent option for candidates who have had bone loss. A fixed denture supported by dental implants will work for patients with any amount of bone loss. That said, some may need bone grafting before implant placement.

Implant-supported dentures pros and cons

Picture by Authority Dental under CC 2.0 license

As with any treatment, there are advantages and disadvantages to implant-supported dentures.

We have already discussed many of the advantages. Permanent dentures are comfortable and function better than traditional dentures.

Lee explains: "I often use this analogy: a traditional denture is like a boat floating in a harbor. It is functional, but it shifts with every current and wave. Fixed dentures are like building a permanent pier."

"We place titanium implants that act as deep, solid pilings, fusing directly with the jawbone. The new teeth are then permanently anchored to this unshakeable foundation," he emphasizes.

They also look more natural and can enhance the wearer’s ability to taste. This is because the palate is often removed from fixed dentures.

Permanent dentures are expensive. They are an advanced type of treatment that requires more materials and more skill than other dental treatments, so they are more costly. They also require a longer treatment time, since implants need to heal between their initial placement and the placement of the dentures.

Lastly, while implant surgery is not painful, patients must undergo minor surgery for the implants. This does cause some discomfort, which not all are willing to undergo.

Removable vs. fixed dentures

Even the best-fitting removable dentures will not fit as well as a fixed denture will. Patients will need to use denture adhesive and have multiple relines performed at a local dental lab to keep the removable dentures in place.

Fixed dentures require less maintenance. A fixed denture will also stabilize the supporting bone, unlike a removable denture. This is helpful because if too much bone is lost, a denture will not stay in place. Many individuals who have worn removable dentures for a long time find they can no longer wear them.