Dentures vs Implants

Conventional dentures

Conventional dentures are inexpensive and easy to make and fit but can cause multiple problems for wearers within a very short while. Part of the problem with having a conventional denture is due to changes in the jawbone’s shape that occur shortly after tooth loss. Without tooth roots to stimulate the jawbone, it quickly begins to resorb, and much of this resorption occurs in the first year after tooth loss. As a result, the ridge of bone that originally supported teeth and which provides much of the support and retention for an ordinary denture soon begins to flatten and become narrower, so the denture quickly becomes loose and ill-fitting. It is possible to reline the fitting surface of a denture. Still, the problem of a lack of retention remains, which is why so many denture wearers resort to messy and expensive dental adhesives.

Dental implants

Dental implant treatment helps solve this problem, providing people with teeth that remain firmly in place and cannot move or shift position in the mouth. Eating becomes much easier as biting strength increases compared with an ordinary denture, and there are no concerns about talking or socializing with others.

However, the cost of dental implant surgery is often a significant factor when deciding whether to have this treatment, especially when a complete arch of teeth must be replaced.

Conventional Dental Implant Treatment for Replacing a Complete Arch of Teeth

With conventional dental implants, a dental implant dentist often needs to use six or as many as ten dental implants to support a full arch bridge. Because these implants are situated evenly throughout the arch, bone grafting is frequently required. Bone grafting is a specialized but straightforward technique to replace missing jawbone bone.

When people have lost teeth quite some time ago or suffer tooth loss because of periodontal disease or trauma, it’s common to lose some jawbone. Consequently, there may be insufficient bone to place dental implants successfully. While bone grafting is a reliable technique, it also increases the cost of dental implant treatment and the time required. After placing a bone graft, it’s often necessary to leave it for several months to heal and integrate with the existing bone before implants can be placed.

All-on-Four, an Alternative Way to Replace a Complete Arch of Teeth

All-on-For is an alternative and highly affordable way to replace a complete arch of teeth, providing patients with implant teeth firmly held in position. It is an excellent solution for anyone who needs to restore a complete set of upper or lower teeth or who needs a full set of teeth for both jaws and who would prefer not to have an ordinary denture that merely sits on the gums.

Instead of using up to 10 dental implants, an experienced implant dentist can use just four dental implants to support a full arch of teeth. The implants are situated so that bone grafting is generally unnecessary. This is because the implants are placed at the front of the mouth instead of evenly throughout the jaw. The jawbone is stronger and thicker at the front of the jaw, so bone grafting is unnecessary, even for people who lost teeth years ago. The way the implants are situated is also slightly different.

Usually, dental implants must be placed perfectly vertically in the jaw, but with All-on-Four, the first two dental implants are situated vertically at the very front of the mouth, but the second pair are located on either side and are tilted backward. The reason for situating these implants in such a way is to increase contact with the jawbone so the implants are stronger and more firmly located in the bone. It also allows a dental implant dentist to attach a set of teeth to the dental implants soon after surgery. With conventional implant treatment, the implants are covered and left to heal for several months before being uncovered so the new teeth can be made and fitted. It’s possible to fit teeth soon after All-on-Four because of how the implants are situated in the jawbone. Fitting a set of teeth onto the implants helps splint them in place, ensuring they cannot move while they heal and integrate with the bone around them while providing patients with a new set of teeth almost immediately, sometimes on the same day.

Fixed and Removable Options Available

Dental implant treatment is extremely versatile. Patients can choose between having teeth that clip onto dental implants but are still easy to remove for cleaning and general maintenance or having a complete arch of teeth that remain firmly in place and cannot move. These teeth can only be taken out by an implant dentist. With this option, you can have teeth that remain firmly in place, even when you sleep.

Fixed option

Most people would always choose to have fixed implant teeth, where they have a new bridge of teeth replacing a complete upper or lower set or both. The implant bridge is usually made from a strong ceramic material called zirconia. It includes not only the teeth but also gum-colored ceramic to replace gum tissue that is missing. It’s an important point because the implant bridge can feel quite large, and some people struggle to get used to it. Also, looking after an implant bridge requires a meticulous oral care routine, as the dental implants must be cleaned thoroughly to prevent infection and possible implant failure.

Removable option

Sometimes a removable option can be preferable and consists of an implant denture with special attachments on its fitting surface that clips onto the implants or a bar. Once in the mouth, the denture is firm and stable and provides much greater biting strength than an ordinary denture but is easily removable for cleaning. People with limited dexterity may find this easier, and it will probably cost less than a fixed bridge.