CASE 12 – Full upper denture using a bar attachment

Ms M from Coulby Newham born 1965

Mrs M was referred to CDIC by her own dentist to “try and give this lovely lady her life back” Ms M is not very old but has worn a full upper denture for many years and hated every minute of it. She wanted a full upper fixed prosthesis that she did not have to remove so that she could psychologically feel “whole” again. Unfortunately, due to the loss of bone that had taken place, there was insufficient bone to place enough implants to carry a fixed prosthesis and also it was necessary to replace lost hard and soft tissue with pink acrylic to give her the lip support to keep a natural look to her facial profile. Mrs M therefore had four implants placed in her upper jaw and a bar attached to these onto which a new much smaller denture was attached. Although not exactly what Ms M really wanted it has given her the confidence to be able to do anything she wants knowing that her denture will not fall down and embarrass her, the smaller size allows her to taste and enjoy her food more and also psychologically it is less like wearing a full denture. The cleverly shaped and stained gums of the overdenture also allow Ms M to smile with confidence knowing that only she will know that her upper teeth and gums are not real.

A mirror view of the bar onto which the denture attaches	A mirror view of the upper denture in place showing the very small amount of palate that is covered.

Even with Ms M’s lips pulled right back it is difficult to tell that the upper teeth and gums are not real

The cost of Ms M’s treatment if it had been carried out today would be £6,100.