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Four Implant Bar Supported Lower Overdenture
Diagnosis
Patient #16 was unable to wear her lower denture. She had recently lost her teeth and was wearing an upper temporary denture. She did not want anyone to know that she had lost her teeth.
Treatment
Four implants were placed in the lower jaw and were allowed to heal four months. A gold bar was fabricated,
which allowed the lower denture (tissue side of the lower denture with nylon snaps and clips)
to snap onto the bar, holding it in place. The teeth were positioned out of alignment to appear less like dentures. And the upper and lower dentures supported her facial form and gave tone to her facial muscles.
Future Treatment
The average life expectancy of the nylon clips and snaps is 10 years. The average life expectancy of the denture is 5 years. The average life expectancy of the bar is one year. We do not know the average life expectancy of the implants. This patient should return yearly for evaluation of the dentures and oral cancer exam.
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