Implant Supported Dentures Vs. Conventional Dentures

Although no one wants to deal with the hassle of having a missing tooth or teeth, the good news is there are several different treatment options available. Historically, individuals missing the majority or all of their teeth have had to rely on conventional dentures. Conventional dentures are a dental prosthesis that are designed based on the unique shape of your mouth and are supported by your gums and the underlying bone structure. Although dentures have been a common treatment for missing teeth, there are several drawbacks to wearing them, such as the amount of maintenance required to clean them, the limitations on types of foods you can enjoy, and in some cases, traditional dentures can rub against the gums and cause sore spots to develop.

Implant supported dentures have become an increasingly popular treatment option for people with missing teeth. Like conventional dentures, an implant-supported denture is a prosthesis that replaces missing teeth, but unlike conventional dentures, implant supported dentures are retained and supported by dental implants. The number of implants needed will vary depending on how many teeth require replacement. Because implant supported dentures do not rest on your gums, but instead are fixed on implants that are embedded in your bone, the end result is a more stable and natural looking solution that will restore your ability to enjoy all types of food and reduce your risk of developing future oral health issues, such as jawbone deterioration.

Which Option is Right for Me?

When determining whether conventional dentures or implant supported dentures are right for you, consider the importance of the following:

  • Performance: Traditional dentures limit the types of foods you can eat and can affect your speech. Implant supported dentures will restore your ability to eat all types of food and will not affect your speech. Implant supported dentures will also not slip out of place, as can happen with conventional dentures.
  • Comfort: While some people do not find dentures to be uncomfortable, the fact that they rest directly on your gums and implant supported dentures do not means that there is a much higher likelihood of experiencing discomfort from conventional dentures compared to implant supported dentures.
  • Cost: Dentures are a much more cost affordable option compared to implant supported dentures, though they will require regular adjustments, which increases their overall cost.
  • Oral health: Because dentures rest on the gums and do not stimulate the underlying bone, the jawbone can begin to shrink and deteriorate over time. Implant supported dentures will provide the necessary stimulation to your jawbone to prevent this from happening.
  • Aesthetic appearance: Some people are embarrassed to have conventional dentures and as a result will avoid eating in public or going swimming for fear of losing their dentures. Implant supported dentures will restore your natural looking smile, which can result in increased self confidence

Although it is important to consider these factors when deciding which treatment option is best for, the best way to make an informed decision is to schedule an appointment with your dentist or periodontist, who can answer any questions you may have and provide their professional opinion as to which treatment option best suits your needs.

Implant Supported Dentures Locations

More on Implant Supported Dentures

Quick Contact Form

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.