Why a lower denture will not stay put
If your upper denture behaves but your lower one floats, you are not doing anything wrong. It is the shape of the jaw. An upper denture covers the roof of your mouth and holds on by suction. A lower denture has no palate to grip. It balances on a thin horseshoe of gum while your tongue, lips and cheeks push against it all day.
Over the years the problem tends to grow. Once the natural teeth are gone, the bone beneath the gum slowly shrinks, so the ridge the denture sits on becomes flatter and narrower. A plate that fitted well a decade ago can end up rocking, clicking and lifting when you eat or talk, no matter how much adhesive you use.
How two implants hold it steady
Denture stabilisation adds two small titanium posts, called implants, into the bone at the front of your lower jaw. Underneath the denture sit matching attachments that clip onto those posts. The denture presses down, clicks into place, and stays put while you chew and speak. When it is time to clean it, you simply unclip it and lift it out.
Two implants are usually enough to anchor a lower denture because the front of the jaw tends to have the most solid bone. The result is not a set of teeth fixed in permanently. It is a removable denture that finally holds on. If you would rather have teeth that never come out at all, that is a different route, and you can compare full arch solutions in Sunbury to weigh it up. There is also a wider set of clip-on and bar designs worth knowing about, which we explain in our guide to implant-retained denture choices.
“For years I chose soft foods and stayed quiet at dinner. Now I forget the denture is even there.”
What getting them fitted actually involves
It starts with an assessment and a 3D scan of your jaw. That scan shows how much bone you have and where the nerves sit, which tells us whether stabilisation suits you and where the implants can safely go.
If you go ahead, the implants are placed in a short procedure under local anaesthetic. Placing implants is minor oral surgery, and like any surgery it carries risks such as infection, swelling, bruising or, in the lower jaw, irritation of a nearby nerve. Our AHPRA registered dentists will explain these fully and answer your questions before you decide anything.
The implants then need time to fuse with the bone, usually a few months, before the attachments are fitted and your denture is adjusted or replaced so it clips on cleanly. Whether your existing denture can be reused depends on its condition, which is part of the individual assessment.
What to ask at your assessment. How much bone do I have, will my current denture work or do I need a new one, how long is the healing gap, and what happens if an implant does not take? Clear answers up front make the decision easier.
Looking after your stabilised denture
A stabilised denture is looked after much like a normal one, with a little extra care around the implants. Take it out at night to give your gums a rest, clean it daily, and gently clean around each implant where it meets the gum so the area stays healthy.
The clips inside the denture are usually small nylon inserts that wear over time and are quick and inexpensive to swap out, so the grip stays firm. Keep up your regular check-ups. Published long-term studies report that dental implants themselves survive in the large majority of people over ten or more years, though your own result depends on your general health, gum care and habits such as smoking.
Is denture stabilisation right for you?
Denture stabilisation tends to suit people who are tired of a loose lower plate and want a steadier, more comfortable bite without the cost of a full set of fixed teeth. You do not need perfect bone. You need enough, and the scan tells us that. Some people are better suited to a different option, and part of our job is to say so honestly.
There is no judgement here about the state of your teeth or how you got here. Plenty of people in Sunbury and the nearby suburbs wear dentures, and this is simply a way to make one behave. The first step is a conversation and a proper look at your jaw.
Worried about cost? Every range on our site is published and dated, with no hidden extras and no pressure. See what stabilising a lower denture may involve in the full price guide →
Common questions
Will I need a brand-new denture?
Not always. If your current lower denture is in good shape, it can sometimes be adapted to clip onto the implants. If it is worn or ill-fitting, a new one made to suit the attachments usually gives a better result. The assessment decides which applies to you.
Why only two implants?
The front of the lower jaw normally has the firmest bone, so two implants there are commonly enough to anchor a lower denture securely. Some situations call for more, and occasionally a bar joining them is used. Your scan and individual assessment guide the number.
Does having the implants placed hurt?
The procedure is done under local anaesthetic, so the area is numb while it is carried out. Some soreness, swelling or bruising for a few days afterwards is normal and is usually managed with simple pain relief. Your dentist will talk you through what to expect.
Can my upper denture be stabilised too?
Yes, upper dentures can also be stabilised with implants, though the number and placement differ because the upper jaw and its bone behave differently. If both plates trouble you, raise it at your assessment and we can look at the whole picture together.