Dentures are prosthetic, removable teeth. Partial or complete dentures are solutions that help to restore entire rows of teeth and a confident smile. They are typically made in sets but can also be made to replace a couple of teeth in a row. Dentures are made by first taking an impression, an exact mold of the shapes and crevices in a patient’s teeth. The image is then sent to a lab where dentures are created. Dentures bond to teeth with adhesive, but they can be removed whenever a patient wants to take them out. Partial or complete dentures don’t require bone structure, are less expensive than implants, must be cleaned often, can cause facial sagging, and even the best of them will slip or move while you are chewing, eating, or speaking. But in the past, people only had one option to replace missing teeth using dentures.

Dental implants screw into the bone for support and are capped with crowns. The implant placement process is lengthy and requires surgery. Before an implant can be placed, the root must be removed. Then a hole is drilled into the patient’s jawbone, and the implant is placed. Once bone begins to grow around the new root and gums have healed, a crown will be fitted and placed at the top of the implant. This process can take between six months to a year. Dental implants require lower maintenance than dentures; care is like natural teeth. Patient with implants has better chewing capability than those with dentures. The primary dental implants benefit is that they are permanent and look and feel like your natural teeth.

With traditional partial or full dentures, there are many complications and restrictions:

  • Dentures are mobile, and you can lose them at the most inopportune moment. They increase mobility over time and need replacement regularly.
  • With dentures, you have limited food choices; they reduce bite force and normal healthy digestion.
  • You will need denture adhesive to keep them in your mouth.
  • They can accelerate bone deterioration and cause loss of jawbone.

But now there is an attractive option even for completely edentulous patients. If you have a complete set of dentures or upper or lower dentures, all-on-4 implants can be a significant investment in your health that will last a lifetime. Implant-supported dentures are the gold standard for tooth replacement. They preserve the bone quantity and quality, work and feel like natural teeth, and provide stability for dentures and firm support for facial structures (lips and cheeks). They are permanent, solid, and stable – no more slippage or dental adhesives. And implants should not ever need replacement or repairs. They are incredibly successful and comfortable. Dental implants are a great option to replace missing teeth and improve your overall look.

For more information about dental implants and smile makeovers, please call our office at (866) 734-3374 or contact us online.

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