Dentures versus Implant-Supported Dentures

Dentures and dental implants are important buzz words in the dental industry. Combining the two creates treatment for people who want more out of their traditional dentures. Securing dentures atop dental implants, called implant-supported dentures, offers patients the benefits of both dental treatments.

A difference in fit

Conventional dentures are made to rest on top of the gums. The denture plates are removable and patients are able to clean their prosthetic teeth and gums daily.

Implant-supported dentures are created to look like traditional dentures, but are equipped with the ability to attach to dental implants -- here is no reason to use adhesive. Though implant supported dentures are affixed to the implants, they are removable by your dentist for routine biyearly cleanings.  Implant retained dentures are slightly different in that they snap on to the implants and patients will remove them each night for cleaning. Implant-supported dentures provide a secure and comfortable fit so wearers can eat, talk, and go about their day uninterrupted.

Getting Your Dentures

Apart from securing dentures, there is major difference between the procedures. Conventional dentures typically involve two or more sessions: an initial session in which impressions are taken, and an additional session or more in which the finished dentures are placed and adjusted to make sure they fit well and are comfortable. The whole process takes several weeks, but there's no surgery involved.

Implant-supported or retained dentures will require surgery to place the dental implants. After the implants have had time to fuse to the bone and gums to heal, the dentures are created to fit atop the titanium posts. Depending on the individual, the entire process may take only a couple of months.

Which denture is best for you?

It is important to discuss all of your options with your dentist before choosing the best solution to replace missing teeth. Once an oral exam is complete, Dr. Jackson Anderson will discuss your health, the benefits and drawbacks as your denture options relate to your personal situation, affordability and financing, as well as time frame for the treatment plan. In order to make the best decision for overall health and function, you will want to ask questions and address concerns prior to selecting the procedure that will best fit your long-term needs.

Contact your Colorado Springs dentist for more information or to schedule an appointment.

The Value of Dental Implants

The technological advancements with dental implants have put these high-tech restoration into a class of their own. While there are several missing teeth options to choose from, dental implants have proven their worth.  If you are looking for value, you must consider the price over the long –term of your oral health. Dental implants are an investment in more than just a tooth.

While dental implants may cost more than other options, there is a significant difference in how implants function and improve aesthetic. Dentures are a good general solution to missing teeth problems, but without the support of dental implants, these restorations will not give patients the most oral health support. Of course, every personal situation is different, so your dentist will examine your oral health and help patients make the best informed decision for long-term improvements.

Dental Implants vs. Dentures

Dental implants and dentures do share some things in common: both types of restoration can be used to replace several teeth or a full arch of teeth. Both can help improve the facial structure changes that come with tooth loss, improve speech problems that might have developed due to tooth loss, and improve your ability to chew difficult foods. However, the fact that dental implants are permanently fixed, whereas dentures are removable, means that dental implants are much better at these functions than dentures are. For example:

- Even the best-fitted dentures can sometimes slip in the mouth, particularly when coughing or laughing, and slippage may also result in speech impairment. This doesn't happen with dental implants, because they're fixed in place and are incapable of slipping.

- The lack of slippage also means that dental implants are better for chewing; in fact, in this regard they function exactly like natural teeth do. Denture-wearers typically have to avoid certain types of foods, such as nuts, corn on the cob, and steak, but there are no off-limits foods with dental implants.

In addition, there are some things that dental implants do that dentures cannot:

- Implants function like natural teeth in the way they transmit chewing pressure to underlying bone, but dentures actually transmit pressure sideways to adjacent teeth—this means those adjacent teeth are more vulnerable to wear and tear.

- The way implants transmit chewing pressure also means they help prevent oral bone density loss; in the long term, loss of bone density in the mouth region can lead to alterations in facial shape, and this is something dentures are unable to prevent.

The Right Dental Procedure for You

Dental implants are in many ways superior to dentures. Dentists understand their long-term value and will educate patients on the pros and cons for each potential procedure. There is always the need for a complete examination before treatment plans are created. Gum tissue and jaw bone health are leading factors in whether or not a patient is qualified for dental implants.

If you are convinced of the value behind dental implants, but cannot afford all that you need, talk to Dr. Anderson about dental implant supported dentures or bridges. This process minimizes the amount of implants, but will bring value and longevity to the alternate solutions.

Contact Dr. Anderson to schedule an appointment or consultation. Jackson L. Anderson, DDS welcomes patients in and around Colorado Springs.