Mar 2, 2018 @ 09:30 AM — by Mark Davis
If you’re missing most or all of your teeth, dentures are an excellent option to consider. Thanks to a properly fitting pair of dentures, you’ll be able to bite, chew, and smile as if you had your normal teeth in place.
The team at our Scottsdale, AZ cosmetic and restorative dentistry center would like to consider the different kinds of dentures that patients can choose from. Whatever dengue type that’s right for you, rest assured that the appliance is custom crafted for optimal fit and comfort.
Traditional Dentures
Traditional dentures refer to removable dental appliances that are held in place by bracing onto the jawbone and gum tissue of the dental arch. These dentures are custom-molded and fit to the dental arch of the patient.
These kinds of dentures are the ones best known to most people, and have been used for centuries as a means of addressing tooth loss.
Conventional Full Dentures
Full dentures are appliances that are used to replace all of the teeth along the dental arch. In these cases, the denture fits along the entire dental arch, and the stability of the denture can be supplement with a dental adhesive. When people are missing both their top and bottom teeth, dentists can craft full dentures for the entire mouth.
Conventional Partial Dentures
Some patients may be missing many teeth but not all of their teeth. When a dental bridge is a poor option to replace the missing teeth, a partial denture will be used instead. This is a denture designed to replace the teeth in just part of the dental arch. Like full dentures, dental adhesive creams can be used to help increase the stability of the appliance.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures refer to dentures that are anchored in place using dental implants. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically embedded into the jawbone and gum tissue. The living tissues of the mouth grow around these implants, a process that is known as osseointegration. When osseointegration has occurred, the dental implants effectively function just like natural tooth roots would.
A full or partial denture can be supported by dental implants. These appliances snap into place on the implant posts. This leads to a level of denture stability that is unmatched by even the strongest of dental adhesives. The implants also help prevent bone loss and gum recession, two issues common among people who have lost their teeth.
Qualifying for Dental Implants
In order to get implant-supported dentures, patients must be candidates for dental implants. Candidacy for dental implants includes:
- Sufficient bone density
- Proper gum tissue density
- Good general health for oral surgery
- Knowledge of the risks and benefits
- Understanding of the cost of the procedure
- Comfort with the months-long recovery time
- Realistic expectations about treatment
If you lack bone or gum tissue density, there are grafting surgeries that can build the bone or soft tissue of the mouth. These surgeries will add to the cost of treatment, and will also increase the overall treatment time by several months.
Which Kind of Denture Is Right for Me?
The best way to find out which type of denture is best for you is to come by the practice for a consultation. We will be more than happy to discuss all denture options with you in greater detail and provide an honest assessment of an ideal treatment option given your goals and needs.
Learn More About Dentures
For more information about dentures and how they can help you bite, chew, and smile with confidence again, be sure to contact the team at Davis Dentistry. We’re here to go over your options and help you make the right dental health decision for your needs.
Dentures aren’t your only option for restoring missing teeth! At Oak Creek Dental Care, we also offer full-arch implants, which are an ideal alternative to traditional dentures. But what are full-arch implants? How do they compare to dentures? And which treatment is right for you? We’ll explain everything you need to know about these two treatments for missing teeth.
What Are Dentures?
You’re probably familiar with dentures, but let’s discuss the basics anyway. Full-arch dentures consist of a base made of gum-colored acrylic. This base is designed to fit perfectly around your gums, and is held in place mostly by friction. However, denture adhesives are also available, which helps improve the hold of the dentures.
Integrated into the base is a full set of teeth, also usually made out of a durable acrylic material. Together, the base and the teeth provide a natural-looking smile restoration. Dentures are affordable and can be built fairly quickly, so they are a very popular way to restore a full mouth of missing teeth.
What Are Full-Arch Implants?
Full-arch implants, as the name suggests, consist of a set of about 4-6 dental implants. These may be placed in one arch or both arches of your mouth, depending on whether you need just one row of teeth or both rows to be replaced.
These implants are small pieces of titanium that are shaped like screws. They are surgically placed into your jaw, where they heal and permanently bond with the bone. This is why titanium is used. It has the unique ability to “osseointegrate” with the bone, essentially becoming a natural part of your mouth.
Once your dental implants heal and bond with your jaw, a set of implant-supported dentures will be built to attach to them. Depending on the design, they may be removable, similar to dentures, or they may be meant to permanently attach to your implants.
Either way, your full-arch dentures will snap onto your dental implants, which will hold them tightly in place. This means that full-arch implants and dentures won’t shift when you eat, speak, or chew.
Full-arch implants also stimulate and preserve the bone tissue of your jaw, since each implant places pressure on the jaw bone and keeps it healthy. Dentures don’t do this, which can lead to long-term changes in your appearance.
Dentures Vs Full-Arch Implants: What’s Right For Me?
This mostly comes down to your budget. Dentures are much more affordable, and are often covered by dental insurance, making them an even better choice for patients who are on a budget. However, they don’t last as long as dental implants, and do not look or feel as natural.
And while full-arch implants look and feel really natural and last a long time, they are significantly more expensive. While we do offer financing options at Oak Creek Dental Care, they simply may be out of your budget.
Need More Information About Full-Arch Implants And Dentures? See Dr. Saleki Today!
If you need to restore your teeth in Oak Creek, Franklin, or South Milwaukee, Dr. Ehsan Saleki is here to help. Contact us online or give us a call at (414) 762-9010 to schedule a consultation, explore both treatments in further detail, and choose the option that’s right for your own unique needs.