Missing teeth not only affect your smile, they can affect your quality of life. Patients may have trouble eating the food they love, or communicating as they normally would. What’s more, missing teeth can lead to discomfort and oral health problems.
If you are missing several teeth, or an entire row of teeth, there are two basic treatment approaches: traditional dentures and implant-supported dentures. Each approach has its own functions and benefits. At Hawaii Pacific Dental Group, Dr. Rohinton Patel can help patients understand the differences and similarities between dental implants vs. dentures. Contact our Honolulu, HI practice to learn more.
Traditional Dentures
Traditional dentures are removable restorations that replace some or all of your teeth. Partial dentures replace several teeth in a row, while full dentures replace an entire row of upper or lower teeth. A full set of traditional dentures rest directly over the gums and are held in place by natural suction and dental adhesive.
Dentures have an acrylic base that looks like the gums. Artificial teeth are attached to the base.
This traditional approach to replacing teeth is less expensive than dentures retained by dental implants. That said, traditional dentures are prone to several drawbacks, such as:
- Having to be removed each night for cleaning
- Slipping or moving while chewing or talking
- Adjusting to potential food restrictions
- Having a look that is not optimally realistic
- Losing jawbone mass due to a lost tooth root
- Alterations to the facial structure due to jawbone loss
Dental Implants
A dental implant is a small titanium post that is surgically embedded into the jawbone. Over time, the implant post fuses with the surrounding tissues and replaces the lost tooth root.
A dental restoration, such as a crown, bridge, or denture, is then attached to dental implant. To retain dentures, several implants will need to be inserted to fully support your artificial teeth.
The Advantages of Implant-supported Dentures
Dental implants have become the gold standard in restorative dentistry due in part to the unsurpassed level of durability and reliability they offer patients. By choosing implant-supported dentures, you stand to reap the following advantages unique to implant dentistry:
- Enjoying decades, if not a lifetime, of reliable support for your dentures
- Not having to worry your denture will slip out of place when you speak or chew
- Caring for your dentures as if they were natural teeth
- Being able to eat the foods you love
- Enjoying dentures that have a supremely natural look, feel, and function
- Preserved jawbone mass and facial structure thanks to the dental implant stimulating the jawbone
Find Out Which Tooth-Replacement Method Is Right for You
Dr. Patel wants you to enjoy all of the benefits a full set of functioning teeth affords. Deciding which tooth replacement method is right for you can be challenging given all of the factors to consider.
Learn which approach is right for you during a consultation. Give us a call today at (808) 320-5400 to set-up your appointment. You can also fill out our online form and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
