There are multiple options available for people who want to replace missing teeth, including some that are removable, like dentures, and some that are permanent, like dental implants. While the end result of each type of dental restoration might seem similar – the presence of useful teeth in the mouth – there are some pretty substantial differences between conventional dentures and dental implants, which can be used to support full dentures or partial dentures and hold them in the jaw.
Conventional, removable dentures are a familiar and affordable option, but they come with many drawbacks. Implant supported dentures cost more than removable dentures, but they carry multiple benefits that many patients find are worth it. Understanding the differences between these two types of dental restorations can help you weigh your pros and cons and make an informed choice for your own treatment solution.
Conventional dentures are supported by the gums and the jawbone that lies beneath them, and they’re held in place by an acrylic attachment that fits into the mouth and secured with denture adhesive. To understand why conventional dentures aren’t the optimal solution health-wise, one first needs to understand what happens to the jawbone when the natural teeth are missing. When there are no tooth roots in the jawbone to stimulate its sustained health, the bone begins to deteriorate as it’s reabsorbed into the body for use in other applications.
This is why many people who are missing teeth have a sunken appearance in their lower face, even when they’re wearing conventional dentures. It’s common for conventional dentures to rub against the gum tissue and create painful ulcerations, and, as they apply pressure to bone that is already compromised, their fit worsens. This can be particularly severe with dentures that replace the lower arch of teeth, which have the added pressures of gravity and less available space for the acrylic attachment that holds the denture in place. As fit is compromised, painful rubbing increases and dentures start to slip out of place while speaking or eating. While removable dentures are less expensive than their permanent counterparts, many patients need to have their dentures refitted and replaced more often because of the ever-changing shape of the jawbone, increasing the treatment’s cost over the long run.
Implant supported dentures are dental prosthetics that replace entire arches of teeth, just like conventional dentures, and are held in place by four or more dental implants. Dental implants are fixed into the jawbone, usually in the socket where a natural tooth once was, in a surgical procedure. Once in place, they fuse with the bone and stimulate the vitality of the bone throughout their lifespan, much like the natural tooth root once did. Once the implants and bone have healed together, which can take several months, your dentist will expose the tops of the implants through the gums and attach a denture to the implants using tiny, sturdy attachment abutments.
This denture is designed to stay in the mouth permanently, held securely in place by the implants, which means it won’t slip or rub and won’t interfere with eating, talking, or smiling. Because they are considered a permanent solution that uses medical-grade materials and creates an aesthetically, mechanically superior end result, dental implants can come with some steep costs, and the healing time required for their success can be daunting. For a vast majority of patients, however, these are small prices to pay for a lifetime of confidence and comfort. Imagining a future of healthy, enjoyable meals and confident smiles is easy when you think about implant supported dentures.
How Much Do Implant Supported Dentures Cost