Full Upper Denture: How Many Dental Implants Are Needed?

The key to your question is that implants are not used to support a denture, they are used to help retain a denture. Two to four implants can stabilize a denture. This will depend on the amount of bone you have. If you want a fixed implant bridge you will need at least 6 implants. If you do not have enough bone you will need to build that up first. Then you need to know if the sinuses are low. The sinus areas could possibly need a graft also. If you have been wearing a denture for years you will need grafting prior to implant. Be carefull with implants in a day treatment. The main question I would ask the surgeon is: “”who is going to help me maintain these implants””. If they do not have a answer walk away. Using four implants will leave you with a chance for failure if your loose one. The need for a fixed upper bridge will depend on how many lower teeth you have and how stable they are. If there are any problems with these teeth you need to take care of them first. Then you need to think about how committed you are to taking care of these implants. With implants you need to make sure you are brushing at least three times a day and seeing your dentist for professional cleanings every three months. If you are not going to commit to maintenance I would simply think about using the implants for retention A fixed implant bridge is similar to a fixed denture screwed into implants. John A. Vravick, D.D.S., M.S., LTD.

Even two implants with appropriate attachments will help you with “retention” of the denture. In this instance, it would remain a removable prosthesis. However,with 4 or more implants (though only 4 are needed when following MALO CLINIC “All-on-4” protocols) you can say “good-bye” to your denture and have fixed (non-removable) teeth once again. Long term studies show over 98% success (implant survival)with “All-on-4”,so failure is not very common,but in the event one is lost, it can be almost always be replaced. So if your considering investing in implants, you may want to consider this option!Best of luck! Dr. Steven M. Moss MALO Advanced Oral Rehabilitation

I am only getting 2 implants done from an oral surgeon due to the large price of 4. I had all my top teeth removed and have tried to get a picture of how the final dentures would look like upon completion w/ just the 2 implants...thus far I have been unable to find such a picture to make sure I am making the right decision going forward. Thanks

I had a full upper denture on 6 implants. Full palate and all. The implants did not hold a whole year. I have 4 implants on The bottom with a bar. I had a removable denture for that as well. I looked better before I had these. I think the prothodontist was terrible and never listened to one wish I had.

I am concerned because i just had 1 of 4 upper implants removed. I need replacement for my entire mouth. In a week they want to make my permanent teeth before replacing the removed implant. Can the permanent teeth be changed to fit another implant or will i have to have it entirely remade to fit the new implant? Also is it best for me to get fixed upper implant dentures or removable ones? I need to know what to do because I dont have the $ to ever spend in my implants again except for clean every 3 to 6 months.

Will it work if I go ahead and get the permanent upper denture made and a few weeks later get another upper implant placed? Can the permanent denture be modified where the new implant is placed?

I had 4 implants inserted in top jaw,but a section keeps breaking