Can dentures go over teeth? Yes, they can! You do not have to put up with unsightly broken teeth or ugly gaps in your smile. There is a denture solution to fit every imaginable missing tooth scenario even when some of the tooth remains.
There are varying types of dentures that fit on, over, or around natural teeth and tooth roots. We discuss the circumstances where you may need a denture to go over existing teeth and the advantages of choosing these dentures in contrast to conventional removable dentures. We outline the most common options.
Why would you need a denture to go over teeth?
Perhaps you have a broken or damaged tooth crown (the visible part of the tooth above the gumline), which still has a healthy root. The dentist may prefer to retain the root for numerous reasons. In certain situations where the tooth crown has been damaged or broken, but the root is healthy and stable, dentists may avoid removing the root to maintain bone integrity in the jaw, or to avoid medical complications like infection or bleeding for those patients on medications or having systemic disease. Perhaps the patient wants to have implants in the future but opts for a denture short term. In this situation, retaining the tooth root serves to hold the root space for future implants. In each of these cases, the dentist will grind down any remaining tooth stub leaving the root intact. A denture can then be designed in the usual way to fit on top of the root at the gumline and around remaining teeth. The patient still has a normal choice of denture, so there is no additional cost.
Other dentures that go over teeth
Implant retained dentures, implant supported dentures and natural tooth supported or telescopic denturesi are superior to conventional removeable dentures in the two main areas of function and comfort. The natural tooth roots or implanted posts which secure them, offer greater stability and comfort. Chewing and biting can be executed without the denture shifting in the mouth, therefore a greater range of foods can be eaten and there is less likelihood of damage to gums and mouth tissues from rubbing when the denture moves. However, the procedures to surgically implant the posts or prepare tooth roots is costly in comparison to conventional removeable dentures.
The most common dentures that go over teeth are:
Conventional removeable denture over natural tooth roots
This is a conventional removeable denture which sits over a tooth which has been reduced to the gumline by your oral health provider, but which retains the natural tooth root, for reasons explained above.
Implant retained denture and implant supported denture
Both of these types of dentures are supported by titanium posts implanted into the jaw (implant retained or implant supported denture). Depending upon the country in which you reside, these denture types may also be referred to as overdenturesii as they clip onto posts implanted into your jawbone or alternatively, are screwed onto the implanted posts.
The telescopic or tooth-supported partial denture
The telescopic or tooth-supported denture is one where a natural tooth has been modified to anchor the denture in place by taking advantage of natural tooth roots.iii An example is where a tooth has broken off, but because the roots are still healthy and sound, your dentist can modify it by capping it with a cast coping device, to support a prosthetic tooth.iv As a final option before the total loss of natural teeth, the telescopic or tooth supported denture accommodates older patients who may be change averse, and wish to delay the transition to conventional dentures.v
Why modify my natural teeth for a tooth supported denture?
In some cases, dentists prefer to retain as much natural tooth and tooth root as possible to slow down progressive bone loss. Retention of natural teeth depends on the amount and condition of remaining tooth structure, together with the patient’s overall health. Even though implants have a high success rate and long-term survival, failures and complications are not uncommon.vi
What option should I choose?
If you want a denture that goes over teeth, the options available to you for replacing one or a few missing teeth will depend on various factors, like your clinical situation and your budget. How healthy your mouth is, and your general health status, will determine which options you are a candidate for and their likelihood of success. Once your oral health therapist has suggested the best option based on your clinical status, then you can decide which option best fits your financial situation.
- A conventional removable partial denture to fit over the top of healthy tooth roots after the tooth crown has been ground down to gumline. Your oral health therapist may recommend this option for reasons stated above. It requires healthy tooth roots.
- The natural tooth-supported or telescopic denture replaces one or a few missing teeth. This option requires a healthy natural tooth structure and roots, together with good general health in the prospective patient.vii
- Implant supported and implant retained dentures both rely on implanted titanium posts, which depend on the patient having adequate bone density. In some cases where this is deficient, bone grafts may be an option. Your oral surgeon will determine if you are a candidate for sinus uplift or bone graft.
- Implant of a single titanium post with crowns or bridges to hold the partial denture in place. Again, this option requires good general health and jawbone density.
Implant retained and implant supported dentures - what’s the difference?
The implant retained denture:
- is removable by the patient for cleaning and maintenance
- requires fewer implanted posts than the implant supported denture
- pressure of chewing and biting is borne by the gums
- is cheaper
The implant supported denture:
- is screwed into place and only removable by oral health therapist
- biting and chewing pressure borne by the jaw and gums
- may require bone graft to enable post implants
- is more expensive since more posts are generally required.
Eventual replacement of the denture component is required with both options, as the denture reaches its lifespan.
How much do implants cost?
Costs vary according to region, your clinical needs, and the complexity of your case. There are two elements to getting implants. Firstly, the surgical procedure and secondly, the denture or crowns. Additionally other treatments may be necessary before implants, like tooth extraction or bone grafts depending on your situation. A brief survey of internet sites in Australia reveals a range of:
- For a single tooth implant: $2,600 - $ 6,000 per tooth
- A full mouth or ‘All on 4’ implants may cost $20,000 or more
Pros and cons of dentures that go over teeth
Implant retained dentures, implant supported dentures and natural tooth supported or telescopic dentures are superior to conventional removeable dentures in the two main areas of function and comfort. The natural tooth roots or implanted posts which secure them, offer greater stability and comfort. Chewing and biting can be executed without the denture shifting in the mouth, therefore a greater range of foods can be eaten and there is less likelihood of damage to gums and mouth tissues from rubbing when the denture moves. However, the procedures to surgically implant the posts or prepare tooth roots is costly in comparison to conventional removeable dentures. A denture that is fitted onto an existing tooth root requires the same manufacturing input as a conventional removeable denture that rests on your gums so is therefore no more expensive. However, the tooth preparation is an additional cost.
Getting the right advice – which oral health professional?
We’ve all heard the phrase ‘Horses for courses’. The wisdom of that saying encapsulates the importance of choosing the appropriate oral health professional for the task. And then there is your personal preference and budget to consider. Whether you want to take the cheapest route and have all your teeth extracted and replaced with a conventional removeable denture, or you want to explore the alternative option of an implant retained or supported denture, decisions should not be made before you have gathered information based on your individual clinical needs.
In this case, your dentist is the best place to start. After an oral assessment and discussion of your preferences, you may be referred on to other oral specialists. Decisions should not be made on the spot.
Given the magnitude of the change you are about to make, and the considerable financial investment required, seeking a second opinion is prudent and offers greater peace of mind. Consulting a dental prosthetist will give you another practical perspective since it’s this oral specialist who will be designing and crafting your denture.
Reviews are a good place to begin, either online from patients who have undergone the procedure with that oral health professional, or from your friends and family. Check professional qualifications, accreditations, length of experience, and for state-of-the-art facilities in the clinic you are proposing to use.
Final word: can dentures go over teeth?
This article has discussed the instances when dentures can go over teeth to address gaps in one’s smile. Whether these be removable implant retained dentures, or implant supported dentures, or a telescopic or natural tooth supported denture, the careful selection of the right oral health professional is crucial. While more expensive than conventional removeable dentures, dentures that can go over teeth have advantages in terms of function and comfort.
References
[i] Yee A, Chui Ling G (March 25, 2020) Aesthetic and Occlusal Rehabilitation Using a Telescopic Denture. Cureus 12(3): e7402. doi:10.7759/cureus.7402
[ii] Stalder, A., Berger, C.H., Buser, R. et al. Biological and technical complications in root cap–retained overdentures after 3–15 years in situ: a retrospective clinical study. Clin Oral Invest 25, 2325–2333 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-020-03555-3
[iii] Stalder, A., Berger, C.H., Buser, R. et al. Biological and technical complications in root cap–retained overdentures after 3–15 years in situ: a retrospective clinical study. Clin Oral Invest 25, 2325–2333 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-020-03555-3
[iv] Stalder, A., Berger, C.H., Buser, R. et al. Biological and technical complications in root cap–retained overdentures after 3–15 years in situ: a retrospective clinical study. Clin Oral Invest 25, 2325–2333 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-020-03555-3
[v] Stalder, A., Berger, C.H., Buser, R. et al. Biological and technical complications in root cap–retained overdentures after 3–15 years in situ: a retrospective clinical study. Clin Oral Invest 25, 2325–2333 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00784-020-03555-3
[vi] Sartoretto SC, Shibli JA, Javid K, Cotrim K, Canabarro A, Louro RS, Lowenstein A, Mourão CF, Moraschini V. Comparing the Long-Term Success Rates of Tooth Preservation and Dental Implants: A Critical Review. J Funct.
[vii] Biomater. 2023 Mar 3;14(3):142. doi: 10.3390/jfb14030142. PMID: 36976066; PMCID: PMC10055991
Disclaimer – Always consult your oral health professional for expert advice about your unique personal situation. The information given here is of a general nature and for the purpose of education only. It is not meant to replace the advice of your oral health specialist
Northern Rivers Denture Clinic is located in the heart of Tweed Heads, southern Gold Coast. Finally have the smile you deserve with handcrafted, quality dentures.
