Implant supported dentures vs dentures Losing your natural teeth can be devastating, both to your health and your self-esteem. Fortunately, you can permanently restore your smile by getting dentures. When you visit Advanced Center for Oral Surgery, Facial Surgery and Dental Implants, our dentists will examine your dental structure and give you a choice between implant-supported dentures and traditional dentures. So, what are the differences between the two? Traditional DenturesTraditional dentures are removable dental prosthetics commonly used to replace an arch of missing teeth. They are typically made of acrylic resin and sit on the gums with the help of suction and adhesives. They are also cheaper and easy to install. The temporal nature of traditional dentures is both an advantage and a drawback. For instance, this quality makes them easy to clean. However, the lack of a strong bond to the jawbone leaves them susceptible to shifting around. When they move too much, you may have trouble eating and talking and potentially develop some mouth sores. Moreover, extended use of traditional dentures can lead to bone loss. This is because they do not press fully on the jawbone and thus do not stimulate it like natural teeth do. Over time, the jawbone may begin to waste away, altering the skeletal structure of the mouth. The end result is a sunken and hollow facial appearance. Sometimes, the jaw is not ready for dentures and will need to be prepared. Denture stabilization surgically alters the contour of your jaw so that your dentures will fit correctly. Traditional dentures can last five to 10 years, depending on how you care for them. This is reasonable, considering the lower fitting costs. Implant-Supported DenturesImplant-supported dentures are dentures that are attached to dental implants to enhance stability. The implants are typically titanium posts screwed into the jawbone. Titanium is a biocompatible material that also integrates with the jawbone over time. Thus, dentures attached to titanium implants eventually become as firm as natural teeth. As a result, it is much easier and safer to chew and bite things with implant-supported dentures than it is with traditional dentures. Implant-supported dentures have a more natural look and feel than traditional dentures. With these dentures, you can smile freely without worrying that someone will notice the implants at first glance. More importantly, the implants that support the dentures are constantly stimulating the jawbone, thereby preventing bone deterioration. As such, no matter how many missing teeth you have, your facial structure will remain permanently intact with implant-supported dentures. Implant-supported dentures require dental surgery to install, which makes them more expensive than traditional dentures. However, they are also more durable. For one, the implants can last a lifetime as they fuse into the jawbone. While the dentures need to be replaced every 15 to 20 years due to wear and tear, the replacement process is much simpler than the initial installation. Start Your Journey to a New SmileDentures are an excellent long-term solution to missing teeth. At Advanced Center for Oral Surgery, Facial Surgery and Dental Implants, we have a team of experienced dentists who are adept at attaching and maintaining all sorts of dentures. Get in touch with us today at (224) 341-5517 to schedule an appointment and learn more about our services. |
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