Seniors have two methods for replacing lost teeth: dentures or implants. Deciding which is better may seem cumbersome, but it really all comes down to assessing the benefits and disadvantages associated with a denture appliance or having a dental implant procedure performed. After assessing the pros and cons of both options, the senior can make a prudent decision on what treatment method is best.
Dentures Advantages
When a senior has dentures, they can smile with a greater degree of confidence. Being able to smile will allow the senior to enjoy socializing with others, and he or she can also feel more comfortable during close communications with family and friends.
Dentures also help the wearer to maintain a natural face appearance: the face does not appear sunken or misaligned when dentures are in place. What’s more, when a senior wears dentures they are not forced to deal with the speech impediments associated with lost teeth.
Dentures offer practical benefits too since wearing them allows for the senior to chew foods with greater efficiency. Instead of having to avoid foods, the senior can consume many of the foods that they might not attempt to eat without teeth.
Financially speaking, dentures can be far less expensive than the cost of dental implant procedures.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Fortunately, dental implant surgery has advanced to the point that it can correct dental problems that result when one loses all one’s teeth. The vast popularity of dental implants resulted that people having implants or dentures supported by implants live longer and may fill the majority of life’s joys.
Implant-supported dentures may be the best solution for those who have lost most or all of their teeth. Denture implants can restore the ability to chew, give back the white smile, and boost self-confidence.
Why Implant-Supported Dentures, But Not Usual Dentures?
An implant-supported denture is a type of denture supported by dental implants and attached to the jaw. Implant dentures are attached to implants, while a regular denture is placed directly on the gums and is not supported by implants that make less successful fitting dentures in your mouth.
Denture implants placement is a better way to fasten dentures to your mouth without using any dentures adhesives. In this implant-dentures technique, a drill is used to implant screws placing in the jawbone. Once the gum and bone heal, the screw becomes integrated into the jaw. They are used to secure the dentures into the jaw
An implant-dentures are used when a person doesn’t have any teeth in the jaw but has enough bone in the jaw to support implants. An implant-supported denture has special attachments that snap onto attachments on the implants.
Implant retained dentures usually are made for the lower jaw, because regular dentures tend to be less stable there. Ordinary, a regular denture made to fit an upper jaw is quite stable on its own and doesn’t need the extra dental implants support. However, you can receive an implant denture in either the upper or lower jaw.
In spite of implant retained denture is secured, you can remove it easily. Some people prefer to have fixed implant-denture that can’t be removed, but your dentist will consider your particular needs and preferences when suggesting fixed or removable dentures.
Denture-Implants Procedure
The denture-implants procedure is usually done on the lower jaw. Implant-dentures have a special sense for people who cannot wear lower dentures. For seniors that have lost their teeth, the bone continues to absorb again away, lower ridges frequently disappear entirely. Thus there is no vertical bone under the gums to hold a lower denture. Two denture implants placing in the front of the lower jaw can make it possible to wear a lower denture.
For most people, two implant posts are all that is required for chewing and using new teeth well. With the addition of more dental implant posts, the stability of the denture greatly increases. Though it is a bit more difficult a denture implant can be done on the upper jaw as well.
Dentures need special care. Plaque and calculus build upon a denture just like it does on natural teeth. Unless plaque is removed from your denture, it can spread to your natural teeth and gums, causing gum disease and cavities.
Implant dentures can cause soreness and discomfort at first and take some time to get adjusted to your mouth. Speaking and eating may feel different with dentures. Be careful when wearing implant dentures because they may make it harder for you to feel hot foods and liquids.
Your mouth is always changing so your denture implants will need adjusting from time to time to make sure it fits well, usually, there should not be problems, but regular dental check-ups are important to make sure that your natural teeth and gums get the care they need.
Dentists advise not to be afraid to have implant dentures, as they’re made of very durable materials and last very long when properly taken care of.
Dentures Disadvantages
When a senior first gets a partial or a full set of dentures, it will take a period of time to adjust to the new appliance. One’s speaking patterns will change over time as the person gets used to wearing the appliance on a daily basis.
Dentures can sometimes float in the mouth, become loose, and cause problems with speaking and chewing. Dentures also have to be removed to be cleaned too so that mouth sores and gum irritations do not develop.
Sometimes, dentures can break and require repair or replacement. In addition, a denture appliance will eventually have to be replaced as one’s mouth changes over the years.
Dental Implants Advantages
Dental implants offer many of the advantages for seniors that dentures do and more. With dental implants, the teeth are individually replaced and attached directly to the jaw bone so that they feel and look like real teeth.
The patient has a better-looking smile, more confidence, a greater ability to chew foods, and implants can help prevent issues like TMJ due to the misalignment of teeth in the mouth. Dental implants, once in place, can last the entire lifetime of the senior without requiring replacement.
Dental Implants Disadvantages
The primary disadvantage of dental implants is identified in cost factors. A single dental implant can cost as much as $3000.00 or more, and if you require several implants your procedure can prove very costly.
Dental insurance does not cover dental implants because it is considered cosmetic and elective. Crowns placed over the dental implants need replacement every ten years which means there are significant long-term costs involved as well.
Finally, dental implants take a considerable amount of time to complete and the implants are put into one’s mouth in stages.