Implant Retained Dentures vs. Traditional Dentures
If you’re missing multiple teeth or if your dentist is planning to extract multiple damaged or compromised teeth, you’re probably considering your different options for replacing these teeth. Ideally, a dental prosthetic will restore both the function and the form of the teeth, improving the ability to eat and chew comfortably and providing a natural appearance, but there are several different treatments that can achieve this to varying degrees. Two of the more common treatment approaches are traditional dentures and implant-retained dentures, each of which has its own benefits and drawbacks. Understanding the differences and similarities between these two types of dental restoration can help you make an informed decision regarding your own oral health.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Traditional Dentures?
Traditional dentures are among the least expensive types of replacement teeth, a fact that appeals to many people, and they can often be acquired quickly and conveniently. However, while these removable appliances may cost less initially, their costs can add up, and they may end up costing far more over the long term. When a person is missing teeth, the anatomy of the oral cavity changes as bone is lost, resulting in an ill-fitting denture that requires regular replacement as the face shape continues to change. Wearing an improperly fitted denture continues to create disproportionate, excessive wear and uncomfortable friction between the denture and the gums, making the problem worse. It can also be challenging to get used to removable dentures, which affect the way it feels to eat, talk, bite, or chew.
What’s So Special About Implant Retained Dentures?
Dental implants are unique in that they provide physical support to the bone that surrounds them. As the bone surrounding a surgically placed implant post heals, it integrates with the implant post, permanently affixing the implant in place while improving the strength and health of the bone. In this way, dental implants help prevent the sunken appearance that can develop when the bone is resorbed after tooth loss. This process of bone and implant fusing together also helps to make dental implants stable over the long term. While implant-retained dentures can be snapped into and out of position, the dental implants they snap to are considered a permanent dental restoration that is designed to last a lifetime. Placing dental implants requires surgery, and proper healing is vital to the long-term success of any implant-based dental restoration. This extended timeline is considered a worthy investment for many patients with implant-retained dentures, as is the higher cost associated with dental implants. In some cases, cost can be defrayed by retrofitting an existing conventional denture to snap onto an attachment apparatus on as few as two to four dental implants. In other cases, dentures can be specially designed to permanently attach to four dental implant posts that support an entire row of teeth. The right type of dental restoration will depend on your clinical needs, your overall health, your budget, and any unique concerns you may have. If it’s an option for you, consider implant-retained dentures, which can provide a compromise between the convenience and affordability of removable dentures and the stability and long-term health benefits of dental implants.