Effects of complete tooth loss
- Facial changes: bone resorption and loss of lip and cheek support make the face look sunken and wrinkled.
- Reduced chewing: many people can only eat soft food, limiting their diet.
- Digestion and nutrition: poorly chewed food and a restricted diet may affect digestion and nutrition.
- General health: some studies report an association between tooth loss and cognitive decline in older adults, although causation has not been established.
- Confidence: many people feel self-conscious when talking or smiling.
Why an implant overdenture?
Older patients often have significant bone loss and medical conditions that make placing many implants for a fixed full-arch bridge more difficult. A removable denture retained on 2 or 3 implants with a bar or attachments (ball, locator, etc.) is then a reasonable option: fewer implants and less surgery, better stability than a conventional denture, and easy removal for cleaning. It still requires daily cleaning, regular check-ups and periodic replacement of attachment parts.
Clinical case
The images show an older patient treated at Hanoi Smile Dental: a bar connecting the implants in the lower jaw and attachments on 2 implants in the upper jaw. Personal details on the X-ray have been masked.
This kind of treatment requires skills in implant surgery, prosthodontics and laboratory work, and above all careful attention to the overall health of older patients.
Note: Treatment indications and outcomes depend on each person's oral condition, general health and home care. This article is for general information only; an in-person examination is needed for individual advice.
