Overdenture Attachments

Overdenture attachments retain a removable prosthesis on implants, giving the patient a denture that stays in place while remaining removable for cleaning. Two implants can transform the stability of a lower denture, which is why this is one of the most cost-effective treatments in implant dentistry and why the attachment components are worth choosing carefully.

Attachment types. Ball attachments are simple, well proven and forgiving. Low profile flat attachments suit cases where inter-arch space is limited, which is common when the ridge has resorbed and the denture teeth sit close to the tissue.

Housings and retention caps. Titanium housings are processed into the denture base, and the retention insert inside them is replaceable. Inserts come in graded retention strengths, so the fit can be tuned at delivery and refreshed at recall without remaking the prosthesis.

Divergence. Angulated attachments accommodate implants that are not parallel. Beyond the correctable range the prosthesis will wear its inserts quickly, so angulation is worth checking at planning rather than at delivery.

Laboratory components. Attachment analogs and closed tray impression transfers for reproducing the attachment position on the working model.

Maintenance. Retention inserts are consumable. Plan on replacing them periodically, and keep spares of the sizes you use.