Implant retained dentures

An implant-supported denture is a prosthetic solution designed for edentulous (toothless) jaws.
 
implant retained dentures

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What are implant-supported dentures?

Implant-supported dentures are fixed or removable prosthetic restorations that attach to dental implants placed in the jawbone. They offer significantly greater stability and improved function compared to conventional dentures.
 
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Types of implant retained dentures

All implant-supported dentures require the placement of dental implants in the jawbone, but they differ in the way the denture is attached to the implants.
  • Locator- or ball-retined dentures

    These dentures attach to implants using special locator or ball attachments, providing secure retention and improved fit. This system offers enhanced chewing and speaking function, while also being easy to maintain. Locator dentures can be removed and reinserted by the patient, making them a practical and comfortable option.
  • Bar-retained dentures

    In this design, a metal bar connects the implants, and the denture attaches to the bar for added stability and retention. Bar-retained dentures fit firmly against the jaw, improving both functionality and comfort during everyday use. They are also easy to clean and remove, ensuring straightforward hygiene maintenance.
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What are the advantages of implant-supported dentures?

Implant-supported dentures offer numerous benefits, including greater stability and easier maintenance of oral hygiene. If changes occur in the mouth - such as gum recession - the denture can be relined with acrylic in the dental lab to fill in gaps, making it feel like new again. This is a cost-effective adjustment that extends the life of the prosthesis with minimal effort.
 
Whether attached via a bar, locator, or ball connection, these dentures provide significantly improved stability and functionality compared to traditional dentures. This is especially important in the lower jaw, where conventional dentures often have poor retention. Implants provide a secure and reliable fit.
 
Locator- and bar-retained dentures are considered semi-fixed solutions - patients can remove and clean them on their own. In contrast, All-on-4 is a fully fixed implant-supported denture that can only be removed by a dentist.
 

Why choose Centrodent for implant-supported dentures?

At Centrodent, we prioritise transparency - every patient receives an implant passport, a quality certificate, and a fiscal invoice for all services provided.
 
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  • Comprehensive diagnostics

    We begin with a detailed diagnostic evaluation to determine whether the patient is a suitable candidate for implant-supported dentures. The type of denture is recommended based on the patient's general health and specific oral conditions.
  • Piezo surgery

    Our surgical procedures are performed using piezoelectric surgery - one of the most precise and safest methods available. This minimally invasive approach allows for gentler treatment and faster recovery, ensuring optimal care for our patients.
  • Ongoing patient care

    After the treatment is complete, we continue to support our patients through regular follow-up check-ups and provide thorough instructions for maintaining oral hygiene, helping to ensure the long-term success of the therapy.

Stages of implant-supported denture placement

The first stage in creating a denture supported by locators or ball attachments involves placing 2 to 4 dental implants (with a minimum of 4 implants required in the upper jaw). After implant placement, a healing period is necessary to allow the implants to integrate with the bone, approximately 3 months for the lower jaw and 4 months for the upper jaw. During this healing phase, the patient wears a temporary denture to maintain function and aesthetics.
 

After the required healing period for the dental implants to fuse with the bone, the dentist reopens the implant sites and places healing abutments (also known as gingiva formers). These special screw-shaped components help shape the gum tissue around the implant to match the planned position and type of prosthetic restoration. Healing abutments typically remain in place for about one month, though in some cases they can be placed immediately after implant insertion, reducing the number of necessary appointments for the patient.
 

About one month after the healing abutments are placed, impressions are taken to begin fabrication of the implant-supported denture. The locator or ball attachment consists of two parts: One part is embedded in the denture itself, The other is screwed directly onto the implant. This system allows the denture to “snap” or “click onto the locator or ball attachment, ensuring it stays securely in place and is not mobile during chewing or speaking.
 

Approximately 15 days after impression taking, the final prosthetic restoration is delivered and placed. 

Common questions about implant-supported dentures

The key difference between All-on-4 and and an implant-supported denture with locators lies in flexibility, cost, and long-term options. A locator-retained denture is generally more affordable, easier to repair, and simpler to manufacture. Most importantly, it allows for an easier transition from a removable to a fixed solution over time.

This means that a patient who starts with a removable denture on locators can, after a few years, decide to switch to ceramic crowns on implants. This upgrade is not possible with the All-on-4 system, because two of the four implants are placed at an angle and cannot later support a fixed ceramic bridge.

With a locator-based solution, additional implants (2-4) can be placed in the future to convert the prosthesis into a fixed zirconia or ceramic bridge. In contrast, All-on-4 is a fully fixed solution from the start, offering excellent stability but without the flexibility to transition into a different type of prosthetic design later on.

Maintenance is essential for any implant-supported denture. Proper hygiene and regular dental check-ups are crucial for long-term success.

If you're considering implant-supported dentures to address complete tooth loss, we recommend scheduling a consultation. This will help determine if you are a suitable candidate for dental implants and allow us to explore all your treatment options with you.
 

A Wironit bar-supported full denture is one of the prosthetic solutions we offer for patients with completely edentulous jaws. Unlike vacuum-retained dentures, which are not anchored to the jaw in any way, this type of denture attaches directly to a dental bar, providing significantly more stability.

How the bar is made and placed:

The procedure begins with the placement of dental implants, at least four implants are required to support the bar.

After implant placement, a healing period follows: typically 3 months for the lower jaw and 4 months for the upper jaw, allowing the implants to fully integrate with the bone.

During this time, the patient wears a temporary denture, or their previous one if still usable. Once osseointegration is complete, the dentist reopens the implant sites and places gingiva formers, special screw-like components that shape the gum tissue for the bar placement.

The bar is custom-made for each patient and is permanently screwed onto the implants.

The Wironit denture, designed to fit over the bar, features a groove on the inner side that allows the denture to “sit” securely on the bar, much like a rider in a saddle. This ensures the denture remains firmly in place during speaking, eating, and daily use.

 

A snap-on denture is a solution designed for patients who have lost all their teeth in one or both jaws but want greater stability than conventional full dentures can offer. These dentures attach to dental implants using special attachments that literally “click” into place, providing a secure fit while still allowing the patient to easily remove and clean the denture on their own.

In the upper jaw, a snap-on denture requires four implants for proper support. In the lower jaw, it can be placed on two implants, although four implants are always a more stable and recommended option.

This concept is especially suitable for patients who have lost their teeth due to periodontitis. For these individuals, maintaining hygiene around the implants is critical. Unlike fixed solutions like All-on-4, which cannot be removed without a dentist's assistance, snap-on dentures allow patients to clean the area thoroughly, significantly reducing the risk of plaque buildup and peri-implantitis (inflammation and bone loss around the implants).

Snap-on dentures are stable in the mouth during speaking and chewing, easy to remove for cleaning, comfortable, providing a sense of control and security - especially for patients who had negative experiences with loose-fitting traditional dentures.

This treatment represents an ideal compromise between a fully fixed bridge and a removable denture, offering better hygiene, functionality, and comfort in everyday life.

A full denture on two implants, also known as a “snap-on denture”, is a popular and effective solution for the lower jaw. This is because the upper jaw requires a minimum of four implants for sufficient stability. The snap-on denture allows patients to remove it independently for proper oral hygiene, unlike fixed options such as All-on-4.

While a denture supported by four implants offers additional stability, even with two implants, the denture fits securely to the jaw and prevents movement during speech or chewing. The price is lower specifically because it involves two fewer implants.

It’s important to note that price comparisons between patients can be misleading, as every case requires an individualised treatment plan. A patient with well-preserved bone and no need for additional procedures - such as bone regeneration, ridge leveling, or sinus lift - will naturally have lower treatment costs. For others, where such interventions are necessary, the total cost will be higher.
That’s why the most important step is to assess your own oral health with a professional, rather than comparing prices based on others' experiences.

What our patients say about us

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Vera O.

81, Rijeka
I am truly grateful and impressed with the care and professionalism I received. Even at my age, I learned so much from you. I’ve never felt this satisfied after a dental visit, and I wholeheartedly recommend others to come and see the quality of your work for themselves.
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Tilda

49, Kastav
I have periodontitis, and scaling has always been painful for me in the past. Here, I didn’t shed a single tear. The dentist was amazing - I would recommend her without hesitation.
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Vanja L.

61, Kastav
A big thank you to the entire Centrodent team for their kindness and professional care. Special thanks to Dr Željka Miculinić, who always manages to ease the discomfort (and fear) of going to the dentist, and for her patience with a demanding patient. Warm regards to the whole team.
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Vesna Š.

53, Rijeka
The staff is kind, and the dentist has the ability to solve the unsolvable in order to save and restore teeth.

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