When you have missing teeth, deciding to transition to dentures is not always easy. Fortunately, our Scottsdale dentists, Dr. Rajan Sheth and Dr. Ken Lim offer versatile and advanced denture options that can make your smile reconstruction easier and more successful.
Traditional dentures are removable plates or frames with prosthetic teeth to replace some or all of your teeth at one time. When we think of a denture, we often think of the classic removable appliance that maybe our grandparents had. But dentistry is ever-changing and evolving, providing our Scottsdale patients with more options for partial and full tooth replacement! Implant-supported dentures are a classic example, offering added stability and comfort for people with missing teeth.
Traditional Dentures vs. Implant Secured Dentures
A traditional denture is a removable appliance that typically rests on your gums to create a seal and even dental adhesive to stay in place throughout the day. A traditional denture is a great way to quickly replace missing teeth while still allowing you to chew, speak, and smile.
Typically, a traditional denture can last up to 10 years if properly cared for, but every case is different. Since tooth loss contributes to bone shrinkage, some denture wearers need to have new dentures made more frequently to accommodate the newer shape of their jawline.
An implant-supported denture is a superior alternative for our patients looking for improved comfort, function, and aesthetics. Implant-supported dentures are created similarly to traditional dentures. However, they have attachments that clip into dental implants to hold them in place throughout the day. This design allows for a secure fit and eliminates the risk of slipping or rubbing inside your mouth. Implant-supported dentures have much more stability than traditional dentures and are likely to last much longer. Plus, Dr. Rajan Sheth and Dr. Ken Lim can design them to be permanent or removable.
What are the Most Recommended Dentures?
If you qualify for dental implants, we suggest investing in an implant supported overdenture. The extra investment in dental implants will help ensure more comfortable and secure daytime wear, making your dentures easier to talk and eat with. Plus, they eliminate the risk of painful sore spots. Additionally, implants slow bone resorption and thereby reduce premature aging in people with missing teeth.
Are Implant Supported Dentures Better Than Traditional Dentures?
This answer will depend on the individual person, their oral health condition, budget goals, and systemic health needs. In general, Dr. Rajan Sheth and Dr. Ken Lim typically recommend implant supported dentures are the superior choice. Our patients tend to adjust to them more quickly and find them much easier to eat and talk with since they don’t need to use their lips, cheeks, or facial muscles to help hold them in place.
Is it Easier to Eat With Dentures or Implants?
Patients with traditional dentures often experience less biting force and need to adjust to the “plate” in their mouth, which can make eating certain foods more difficult or require more practice to get used to. With implant supported dentures, you get the advantage of a stronger “bite”, offering increased chewing pressure. Plus, they clip into place and don’t slip or rub while you’re eating or biting into various textures.
Why Do People Get Dentures Instead Of Implant Supported Dentures?
With all the benefits of an implant supported denture, why do some of our Scottsdale patients still opt for traditional dentures? With implant supported dentures, minor oral surgery is also required. This additional step, as well as creating the denture with the proper attachment points, can increase the overall cost of the procedure and require more of a time investment. To put it simply, implant supported dentures do cost more upfront than conventional dentures do. For patients who are on an extremely tight budget, prefer not to make monthly payments, or simply want a quicker fix, a traditional denture either full or partial denture will offer them a faster turnaround time.
Who is a Candidate for Denture Implants?
A thorough health and bone screening is necessary for any dental implant candidate. We’ll need to review any medications you’re taking or know about recent surgeries. For example, patients that have taken bisphosphonates for an extended period of time may not be eligible for dental implants due to bone health concerns that could result in failure of implant integration into the jawbone. People with severe periodontal disease may not be eligible unless their gums are fully healed, as this infection can compromise implant placement. Other conditions, such as diabetes or extensive cancer treatments, also need to be considered.
While many patients are candidates for implants, it’s crucial to discuss health conditions with Dr. Sheth and Dr. Lim to ensure you are making the best decision for your oral health. We can also work with your primary care provider to discuss offering treatments with co-existing medical conditions.
Additionally, healthy bone support is needed to place the implants. Since clip-on overdentures only need 2-4 implants in total, Dr. Rajan Sheth and Dr. Ken Lim can be more selective about where each implant is placed. That being said, there could still be a need for bone augmentation or grafting to ensure your implants are properly supported.
Which is Less Painful, Dentures or Implants?
While implants require minimally invasive surgery to install, the procedure itself is fairly comfortable and requires little to no post-operative pain relief. Most people say that implant treatment is easier than having a tooth extracted. When you consider that implant supported dentures are more comfortable to wear on an everyday basis—because they don’t rub against your gums or create sore spots—it’s easy to say that the implant versions are much more comfortable in general.
At Scottsdale Dental Solutions, Dr. Rajan Sheth and Dr. Ken Lim are happy to help answer your questions regarding dentures and implant supported denture designs. Call our office today to request a no-obligation consultation. Be sure to ask about our flexible payment plan options!