Compare And Contrast: Dentures, Implants, Or Both

If you are at the point where saving some or all of your teeth is no longer a viable option, you have probably considered the use of dentures or implants. However, you may be surprised to learn that you can use both, which often provides a more secure fit for your dentures without necessarily needing as many supportive bars as you might with exclusively implants. It is important to speak to a dentist at a denture clinic about accessing the appropriate dentures, as you may need to work with both that dentist and another specialist if you elect implant-supported dentures. It will also be helpful to understand the details associated with dentures, implants, and using both before making your final decisions.

What To Expect From Dentures

You are probably already familiar with the basic concept of dentures. They can replace some or all of your top and bottom teeth, following the total loss or extraction of one or more teeth. You will be able to remove them at night or to be cleaned, and most of the dentures in use today closely resemble your natural teeth. In addition, you can choose the least expensive option, often available for just a few hundred dollars, or top-of-the line dentures that are frequently made of a flexible resin.

Unfortunately, some patients are annoyed with the the fact that they need to have their dentures examined on a regular basis due to their slippage during use. As a result, implants are another viable option, but implants are known to take longer to complete and are more expensive, as seen below.

Anticipating Dental Implants

Dental implants are unique because they actually start below the jaw, whereas other dental work primarily focuses on improving gum health and repairing or replacing teeth. The implant itself is a rod that replaces the dental root and must first heal and be accepted within the jaw. When that happens, up to four teeth will be implanted on each rod and it can take six months or more for the implant to support the artificial teeth.

In general, improving your smile with a full mouth of implants is significantly more expensive than doing so with dentures. In addition, implants are not always covered by dental insurance plans.

Using Dental Implants And Dentures

Using both dentures and dental implants requires slightly changing the way that they are provided. Specifically, you can choose from two different kinds of implants that support dentures, although the denture itself will exclusively be made of acrylic or porcelain and resemble your gums. The artificial teeth will be made of either a porcelain or acrylic material, and you may only need two implants to support the dentures. You will still be able to remove the dentures for cleaning or when you want, in most cases.

You can choose for your new dentures to be supported by a bar or ball. A bar supported denture will slip into place through multiple attachments, while a unit that is supported by a ball will use corresponding male and female parts to connect the two. One benefit of using implants to support dentures is that it typically allows the dentures to be more comfortable to wear, and makes the dentures easier to bite and chew with.

In conclusion, recent dental advances have allowed patients to use both dentures and implants. If you are ready to improve your smile permanently, it is time to speak with an oral surgeon or a specialist at a denture clinic like Londonderry Denture Clinic about your options.