Dr. Beatrice Leung Dentistry Professional Corporation

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Deconstructing the Steps in Inserting an Implant Overdenture

Over the years, delivering an implant supported overdenture carries a bit of apprehension on my end.

If I pick up the attachments chairside, will the denture be stuck in the mouth?

If I take an impression, will there be errors during the fabrication process that not all of the attachments will be engaged?

For me, I have done every method out there.  Now I find that if I take a good impression and working with a good lab, I rarely have to pick up attachments chairside.

However, once the denture is processed, trying in the denture the first time always make me nervous.  Is it going to seat?  Can I remove it once fully inserted?

Now, I have modified my insertion protocol in a way that gives me less stress and a better experience for the patient.

And I am sharing it here and I hope some of you will find this information useful.

 

Step 1-Identify soft tissue interference

  • Remove all nylon male from the housing
  • The denture is very non retentive at this point.
  • Use pressure indicating paste to identify soft tissue interference

Step 2-Adjust the soft tissue interference

  • Use pressure indicating paste to identify soft tissue interference
  • Adjust with an acrylic bur

Step 3-Put one nylon male one at a time and insert and remove denture from the mouth

  • If there is still soft tissue interference, you can identify it and adjust it easily
  • With one nylon male in place, this ensure you can still remove the denture without worrying that it will be stuck in the mouth

Step 4-Continue and repeat with the next nylon male

  • Put another nylon male to the next housing
  • Insert and remove from the mouth to ensure no soft tissue interference and that the denture can be removed again

Step 5-Continue until all the nylon males have been inserted

  • Now you have a happy patient and predictable insertion protocol where you don’t have to sweat about it getting stuck or causing patient discomfort upon removal.
  • Happy patient Happy dentist!
  • Thanks for checking this out!