Extensive tooth loss can lead to a number of problems affecting your dental health and your appearance. Thankfully, Dr. Steven Hochfelder can help create custom dentures that restore your ability to bite, chew, and smile. Lake Mary, FL patients may qualify for dentures supported by dental implants, which have numerous benefits over removable dentures.
But which kind of denture would be better for a patient?
Let’s compare traditional dentures to implant-supported dentures so you can make a more informed choice about your dental care options.
About Traditional Dentures
Traditional dentures are sets of false teeth that can replace the upper dental arch or the lower dental arch. These false teeth are custom-crafted, and are held in place by bracing around the gum tissue and jawbone structure of the dental arch. Adhesive creams can improve the hold and stability of a denture, which prevents it from slipping out of place and falling from the mouth.
The Ideal Candidates for Traditional Dentures
The best candidates for a traditional denture are people who are missing most or all of their natural teeth. A denture restores the ability to bite, chew, and smile, which means it can improve self-confidence and your diet.
Many people who are missing all of their teeth tend to be age 65 and older. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)/National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimate that 27.27 percent of seniors have no teeth, which is why dentures are common among the elderly.
About Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures are dentures that are held in place using dental implants. Dental implants are artificial tooth roots surgically anchored into the jawbone and soft tissue. This provides stability that cannot be matched by even the best denture creams. Additionally, dental implants prevent bone loss and gum recession along the dental arch, which are common problems associated with tooth loss.
Thanks to implant-supported dentures, Lake Mary patients who are missing teeth experience a beautiful, fully functional smile again.
Ideal Candidates for Dental Implants
The best candidates for implant-supported dentures are people who are missing most or all of their teeth. They should have sufficient bone density in place to support the dental implant and have healthy gum tissue as well. Bone grafting and gum augmentation can be performed to build up the necessary tissue density, though it will add several months to the treatment process.
When Are Implant-Supported Dentures More Ideal?
Implant-supported dentures are generally more ideal than removable dentures in almost every instance. However, the nature of treatment may put off some patients who are missing teeth.
Oral surgery is needed to place dental implants. The osseointegration process is essential to success; this involves the fusion of the implants with the jawbone. However, this process requires several months to complete. Some patients may prefer a more immediate solution to their tooth loss than waiting that long.
Keeping the Cost of Implant Dentistry in Mind
We should also take a moment to note the cost of getting dental implants as part of this comparison.
Dentures supported by dental implants are far more expensive than removable dentures, so patients need to weigh the cost of treatment during the consultation process. From an economic standpoint, implant-supported dentures may not be in someone’s budget even with all the benefits taken into account.
Creating a Treatment Plan Just for You
If you live in the Lake Mary area and would like to learn more about treating tooth loss, be sure to contact a skilled cosmetic and restorative dentist. You can reach our dental care office by phone at (407) 321-8900.
