Galway dentists have grouped together with the support of Biomet 3I to promote a health awareness campaign for implant supported “overdentures” to help people with loose bottom dentures.
Together with the support of medical colleagues, care workers and pharmacists the health awareness campaign is to emphasis the benefits of having two dental implants placed in the bottom jaw.It is a simple procedure to support a bottom denture. More importantly ; it is a cost effective solution for the edentulous patient to improve the quality of their life.
Suffering from tooth loss (edentulism ) is considered a major health problem, affecting millions of individuals throughout the world. According to World Health Organization (WHO ) criteria, this is considered a physical impairment as important body parts have been lost. For many patients this impaired ability to perform two essential life tasks, namely, speaking and eating, negatively alters their quality of life.
As long ago as 2002, a panel of 15 eminent international clinicians and scientists at an implant overdenture symposium concluded “as a minimal treatment objective, two implants in the lower jaw to support a lower denture should be considered as a first choice standard of care for patients with no teeth.”
In the lower jaw this will provide predictable results with improved stability, grip, function and patient satisfaction compared with conventional dentures. Implants placed in the anterior mandible have a success rate equal to or greater than 95 percent.
This is one of the least complicated and cost effective forms of implant prosthesis and will modify diet and improve nutritional state, which will impact on general health.
Assessing the quality of life is complex, but, simply stated, its attributes include adequate functional and psychological health, life satisfaction, and self esteem. Patients who are unable to cope and adapt to dentures can experience severe psychological and social consequences, adding to a compromised quality of life. Evidence suggests that the quality of life ratings are higher for patients who receive two-implant overdentures, than for those with new conventional denture.
Other studies have measured the rate of bone loss in the five years after implant placement. The rate of loss is decreased significantly from the rates seen with conventional dentures. Without implant support the bone loss eventually can render the denture inadequate in terms of both function and aesthetics and can lead to more frequent need for replacement of dentures
Finally, many patients with full dentures think dental care is no longer is needed. Such patients deny themselves not only routine maintenance of their dentures but also the advantages of cancer screening. Oral cancer is more common than cervical cancer. Patients with implant-supported dentures consistently return for visits with their dentist. Regular annual check ups are essential with or without implants for all patients as part of your health maintenance campaign
If you would like to know more about this procedure for yourself or a member of your family, please do look at the website www.icanchew or ask your dentist.
