I have 4 implants on the lower and wish to know which is better - using a bar or using
Individual posts?

My feeling is that the bite will be better distributed on the bar but I've seen clients with both. It depends on how much metal you want in your mouth when the denture is out for the night.

I've seen both types of cases but there's a move towards individual posts to avoid having a lot of metal in your mouth. The only thing I can say I've seen is that sometimes the denture will have to be a little thinner around the bar because of the amount of metal. Usually the bar runs from canine-to-canince and you'd have the metal bar in that space after the denture is removed. I haven't heard anyone say one type necessarily works better than the other. Overall to the public, they will look the same.

Depends on if you want it to be fixed or removable. With a bar you can get an acrylic denture that will be repairable and easy to clean. If you want something that always stays in, you can get a screw retained fixed implant supported denture. Its harder to clean and if they make it from porcelain it will be VERY expensive to repair in the event of a porcelain fracture

...acrylic denture that will be repairable ...if they make it from porcelain it will be VERY expensive to repair in the event of a porcelain fracture

As for repairs, the process is about the same since only the teeth are porcelain. Replacing a tooth is simple and can be done same day; if the dentist has an on-site lab (some do).

Porcelain teeth are a little more expensive but not too many people choose them because they are significantly heavier. Most dentists don't offer them; you'd have to ask for porcelain teeth.

Both types can be removable whether with implants or the hader bar.

My feeling is that the bite will be better distributed on the bar but I've seen clients with both. It depends on how much metal you want in your mouth when the denture is out for the night.

Had a bar over 4 implants for 10 years and very happy. Time for new and individual posts were shown to me. After much discussion decided to try the lower denture over 4 individual posts. Two years in and I am questioning my decision and wondering if I should return to the bar. Feel the distribution is such that I feel more pressure on one post. As to the metal on the bar - no problem. As to the metal lining the lower anterior portion of the denture, would the tongue not adjust to this shortened distance?

So far I have gotten only one that says the individual posts are the best. All others go with the bar because of the distribution.

My biggest fear is having losing an implant and want to try for a better education decision, and I thank you for your reply.

Go with what works for yah!

The bar is always a good simple choice, pretty maintenance free and easy to keep clean.

I question why you had to have it redone in the first place?

I question why you had to have it redone in the first place?

The denture had no metal lining and broke two different times, the last time one of the teeth broke. The upper needed relining. The Dentist that did the work did an excellent job the first time - so good that I never needed even the first adjustment. After the breaks it had been about ten years and the upper needed relining. He personally did not believe in relining and was going to make a whole new set. I was moving in the process of moving out of town so I went to a local local Dentist - recommended by a lab tech - and this one suggested I might want to consider individual posts as it would give me a closer to normal bite. I agreed and that is how I got to where I am now.

That's rough... I always tend to keep it simple, it usually works the best... but then again, I am on salary with the military so...