Full loss of teeth is a challenge for your wellbeing as well as your appearance. While traditional dentures are a popular and common restorative choice, implant treatment can be used to augment your chosen procedure.
Consider the following about traditional dentures and implant-supported prosthetics:
Comfort and Function
Both removable and implant dentures create the appearance of a full and healthy smile. However, adhesive-based dentures are held in place with dental paste and can slip or slide on soft tissue throughout the day. This is especially true for lower dentures, as upper dentures have the natural suction created by the palate to keep them stable.
Implant-supported dentures are attached to implant posts, which permanently integrate with the jaw bone. This helps your teeth remain exactly where they should be all day long while eating and speaking. With these sturdy reinforcements, patients enjoy a greater ability to bite and chew foods, as well as reliable prosthetics that feel like natural teeth.
Minimal Upkeep
To keep removable dentures clean, patients need to soak them overnight in a special solution and apply new denture adhesive each day. These dentures may also need touch-ups through the day if they move out of place. As these traditional dentures rest on top of soft tissue, they can irritate gums and cause tissue to shrink. Your prosthetics may then need to be adjusted to ensure a comfortable and secure fit.
When dentures are secured by dental implants, your hygiene regimen is minimized. Screw-retained implant dentures can be brushed like natural teeth and are only removed by your dentist during routine appointments. If your denture snaps onto and off of denture attachments, you can follow your denture provider’s instructions for using soaking agents or a Waterpik as needed.
Long-Term Health Effects
As you age, it’s natural to lose some bone volume, and this also applies to jaw tissue. However, without natural tooth roots to stimulate bone, tissue depletes at an accelerated rate. Traditional dentures do not address this issue, as they are a surface-level restoration for tooth loss.
Dental implants restore the lost tooth roots and nurture jaw strength and aesthetics. When bone depletes, patients’ facial features can look shrunken. Dental implants prevent this change and help you enjoy better overall dental health for years to come.
Which Teeth Replacement Option is Right for You?
Ask our dental specialist and implant provider, Dr. George Duello, if you are considering dentures for comprehensive teeth replacement. We provide all of the information necessary to determine whether implant-supported teeth are the best choice for your health and wellness.