If you are missing the majority or all of your teeth or have been told that your teeth need to be replaced, there are several treatment options available. The most common treatment options for missing teeth are traditional dentures, implant retained dentures that are removable, or implant supported dentures which are fixed. Traditional dentures are a more affordable treatment option, however with this cost in savings comes several significant drawbacks. One common issue associated with traditional dentures is that they can slip out of place while talking, which can be a very embarrassing experience. Traditional dentures also require a great deal of maintenance and restrict the types of foods you can eat, as they do not allow for forceful chewing and biting. Traditional dentures can also cause sores to develop and will not preserve the strength of your jawbone, which will result in the jawbone shrinking and your denture needing to be replaced to fit the new structure of your mouth. On the other hand, dentures do provide a fast and affordable solution, which may be of greater importance to you depending on your specific treatment goals.
While there are benefits and drawback to either approach, in most cases the best path forward to restore your functionality and avoid issues commonly associated with traditional dentures is to go with an implant retained denture. Some of the benefits you will enjoy from implant retained dentures include:
- No sore spots or rubbing
- Stronger, more secure fit
- Easier to eat and talk with
- Restores your ability to enjoy a wider variety of foods
- Design is slimmer
- Will not fall out
- Much more comfortable compared to traditional dentures
- Does not require the use of adhesives
- Preserves the health of your jawbone
- Looks and feels more natural
One of the biggest benefits of having an implant retained denture placed is that doing so will retain the health of your jawbone. Unlike standard dentures, which rest on your gums, implant retained dentures provide greater stability and the necessary stimulation and pressure to the jawbone to prevent it from atrophying and changing shape over time, resulting in a change in the physical appearance of your face and an increase in your risk of developing additional oral health issues.
Which Treatment Option is Right for Me?
The best way to determine whether implant retained dentures, traditional dentures, or some other treatment option is right for you is to schedule an appointment with your periodontist. During this appointment, you will have an opportunity to discuss your treatment goals and your periodontist can perform a thorough evaluation of your oral health to determine any underlying issues that need to be corrected and determine what treatment options are available to you. This appointment may include diagnostic exams to gather additional information about the underlying health of your jawbone to ensure there is a sufficient amount to support an implant, and if there is, to determine optimal implant placement.