Implant overdentures bridge the gap between loose traditional dentures and fixed, full-arch bridges. By anchoring a removable denture to just two or four implant posts, Precision Periodontal and Implant Center can give edentulous patients dependable bite strength without the cost or maintenance of a permanently screwed-in bridge.
Learn about one of the most requested versions we place in Redondo Beach: the lower Locator-retained overdenture. Call 424-626-1960 if you’d like to see whether “snap-in” freedom is right for you.
How Does a Locator Implant Overdenture Work?
After numbing the site, Dr. Ivanov places two small titanium implants in the front of your lower jaw, where bone is naturally thick. Once the posts heal, low-profile Locator abutments click into matching nylon caps embedded in your new denture base.
The result is a prosthesis you can insert and remove with a gentle tug—yet it stays rock-steady while you eat or speak. Because the implants transfer chewing force into the bone, they also slow the ridge shrinkage that makes conventional dentures looser every year.
Why Two Implants Are Often Enough
Full-arch “All-on-X” bridges need four to six implants because they never come out. A removable overdenture, however, gains extra stability from the gum ridge itself; the implants simply lock the appliance from lifting. Clinical studies show that two well-spaced fixtures under a Locator denture restore up to 60 percent of natural bite force—plenty for steaks and salads—while keeping surgery, cost, and healing time minimal.
Step-by-Step Treatment Timeline
- Comprehensive 3-D scan to map bone height and nerve position
- Implant placement (about one hour under local anesthesia or IV sedation)
- Three-month integration phase—your existing denture is relined to wear during healing
- Attachment connection and chairside pickup of Locator housings
- Home-care instruction for daily cleaning and annual nylon-ring replacements
Most patients miss only a day of work after surgery and require no stitches longer than a week.
Benefits Patients Notice Immediately
- Zero denture wobble—no adhesive, no mid-meal embarrassments
- Less sore tissue because the denture no longer grinds on the gum ridge
- Clear speech without worrying about plates flopping or clicking
- Preserved jawbone thanks to implant-driven bone stimulation
- Lower cost than fixed full-arch bridges, yet far more secure than conventional dentures
Daily Care and Long-Term Maintenance
Brush the abutments morning and night with a soft toothbrush and non-abrasive paste, then soak the denture in an effervescent cleaner while you sleep. The nylon retention inserts inside the Locator caps wear like brake pads; swapping them every 12–18 months keeps the “snap” satisfyingly tight. Professional implant cleanings at Precision Periodontal and Implant Center every six months prevent plaque buildup and ensure the fixtures—and the bone around them—stay healthy for decades.
Candidacy and Cost Snapshot
Ideal candidates have enough front-jaw bone height (usually confirmed on CBCT) and good overall health. Smokers, uncontrolled diabetics, or patients with untreated gum disease need risk factors managed first for predictable healing. Because the prosthesis re-uses your existing denture or a simple new acrylic plate, total fees are typically 40–60 percent lower than a fixed All-on-X bridge.
Ready to trade denture glue for a secure, snap-in smile? Schedule an implant overdenture consultation with the team at Precision Periodontal and Implant Center by calling 424-626-1960 today and see how just two implants can transform everyday eating and speaking.