Overdentures in Summerville, SC
Losing most or all of your natural teeth can feel like losing a part of yourself, and traditional dentures do not always solve the problem the way patients hope they will. Loose-fitting plates that slip while eating, bone loss that continues to change your jaw’s shape, and the frustration of relining a denture every few years are common complaints we hear from patients across Summerville.
At Old Trolley Dental Associates, we offer overdentures as a more secure, longer-lasting alternative to conventional dentures and partials. By anchoring a denture to a small number of strategically placed implants, we help patients regain the ability to chew with confidence and speak without worrying about their teeth shifting.
What Are Overdentures?
An overdenture is a removable dental prosthetic that snaps onto implants or remaining natural tooth roots instead of resting directly on the gums. This connection point gives the denture a level of stability that traditional dentures cannot match on their own.
How Overdentures Differ From Traditional Dentures
Traditional dentures rely on suction and adhesive to stay in place, which can become less reliable over time as the jawbone naturally reshapes itself. Overdentures solve this by clipping onto implants, which also help preserve jawbone density since they mimic the root stimulation that natural teeth once provided.
Many of our patients who switch from traditional dentures to overdentures tell us that the difference in daily comfort is immediate. Foods that once felt risky, like apples or corn on the cob, become manageable again once the denture is properly secured.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Overdentures?
Overdentures work well for patients who have lost most or all of their teeth in one or both arches and want more stability than a removable plate alone can offer. Bone density and overall gum health play a role in determining how many implants are needed to support the appliance.
The Role of Digital Planning in Treatment
We use digital smile design and 3D imaging to map out implant placement before any procedure begins, which allows us to show patients a visual mock-up of their new smile ahead of time. This planning step helps set realistic expectations and reduces surprises once treatment is underway.
Patients who have struggled with denture adhesives, sore spots, or a denture that no longer fits due to bone loss are often excellent candidates. We also work with patients who have some remaining natural teeth that can serve as additional anchor points, which may reduce the number of implants required.
What to Expect During the Overdenture Process
The process typically begins with a consultation where we evaluate your jawbone, gum tissue, and any remaining teeth to determine the best treatment path. From there, implant placement is scheduled, followed by a healing period that allows the implants to fuse securely with the bone before the final denture is attached.
Complete tooth loss remains a significant concern for older adults nationwide. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 5 adults aged 75 and older had lost all their natural teeth as of the most recent national survey data, which is one reason implant-supported solutions have become an increasingly common conversation in restorative dentistry.
Throughout this process, we prioritize keeping patients informed so they know what each appointment will involve. We also coordinate with our in-house oral surgery capabilities, which means implant placement and restoration can often happen without referring patients out to a separate specialist.
Caring for Your Overdentures
Overdentures still require daily cleaning and regular checkups, even though they offer more stability than a traditional denture. We recommend removing the appliance nightly to clean both the denture and the implant attachments, since food particles and plaque can build up around the connection points.
Routine visits allow us to check the fit of the denture and the health of the surrounding gum tissue, catching small issues before they become bigger problems. Patients who maintain good general dentistry habits alongside their overdenture care tend to see the longest-lasting results from treatment.
Paying for Overdentures in Summerville
Cost is often one of the biggest concerns patients bring up when considering overdentures, and we try to make the financial side of treatment as clear as possible from the start. We accept a range of PPO insurance plans, and for costs not covered by insurance, we offer financing through Cherry and CareCredit so treatment can fit into a monthly budget rather than a single upfront payment.
We also walk patients through what portion of overdenture treatment insurance may cover, since implant-related procedures are sometimes categorized differently than traditional dentures. Our team can review your specific plan during a consultation so there are no surprises once treatment begins.
Schedule Your Overdenture Consultation With Old Trolley Dental Associates Today
Overdentures offer patients in Summerville a chance to move past the frustrations of loose, uncomfortable dentures and regain a level of function and confidence that traditional options often cannot provide. Dr. Scott Kibler and Dr. Michael Skovira bring years of restorative and surgical experience to every overdenture case, including in-house implant placement that keeps treatment coordinated under one roof.
If you have been living with an unstable denture or missing teeth that have gone unaddressed, we encourage you to reach out and find out whether overdentures are the right fit for your smile. You can contact our office to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a more secure, comfortable way to chew, speak, and smile.