When a patient is faced with the loss of all his or her teeth, the life-altering realities are substantial. Complete dentures radically limit chewing function, reduce the ability to enjoy or taste food, and may be difficult to keep from coming loose during speech.
These problems can be significantly reduced if the denture is made with some form of implant support. Dentures supported by implants are called hybrid dentures. Hybrid dentures can be fixed or removable. In both cases, chewing limitations are substantially reduced, palatal coverage can be eliminated, and retention is greatly improved.
Removable hybrid dentures clip onto a supporting bar or other attachment devicewhich are connected to implants inserted into the jaw bone. The attachment apparatus is not removable, but the denture may be taken in and out easily by the patient.
Fixed hybrid dentures are appliances that are screwed into multiple dental implants placed into the jaw bone. The denture is not removable by the patient.
