If someone you care about has suffered tooth loss, dentures may be on your mind for the first time. If you are just starting to learn about the world of prosthetic teeth, you should take the time to learn about the differences between conventional dentures and implant-supported dentures.
Are you thinking about putting your ongoing dental problems behind you and investing in a new set of teeth? Both traditional and implant dentures can help you restore your confidence and get on with your life! Contact Chisholm Trail Smile Center to learn about your options for dentures in Duncan, OK.
The good news is that all dentures today are more comfortable and natural looking than in the past. Technological advances in imaging and material construction allow us to provide replacement teeth that are beautiful and fit perfectly into your mouth.
Traditional Dentures
Most people are familiar with conventional dentures. They adhere to the gums by the power of suction and dental adhesives and are used to restore your teeth for more natural eating and speaking. These dentures usually last about 5-8 years, but may need to be relined more frequently, as the dimensions of the soft tissues of the mouth will change as time goes by. Dentures are made of a combination of soft and hard plastics, and therefore must be removed and soaked each night when you sleep. This prevents the plastic from drying out and warping, and ensures they will fit properly for as long as possible.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Unlike standard dentures, implant-based dentures are connected to the jaw bone, much like natural teeth. Small titanium implants are surgically placed in the jaw; usually only four are needed per arch. Once the implants heal and become stabilized by new bone growth, a denture plate can be attached and used for all your biting and chewing needs.
The primary benefit of implant dentures is that they provide greater stability. The denture will never slip out of place when you are eating because it is securely attached to the implants. When you are ready to take out the denture for cleaning and soaking, it pops out of place via a snapping mechanism. Many foods that are traditionally too hard or chewy can be eaten with implant dentures, since they stay in place so well.
Implant dentures are also more comfortable than traditional dentures, because they don’t rub against the gums. The pressure comes from the movement of the jaw, so patients rarely develop oral sores or lesions, as can happen with ill-fitting traditional dentures. Another health benefit of implant dentures is the fact that they prevent jawbone resorption. With traditional dentures, it’s guaranteed that the jaw will “shrink” over time as bone matter is slowly re-absorbed by the body. The presence of implants in the jaw is the only option that can prevent this process.
How the Process is Different
When comparing the two types of dentures, it’s important to not how different the process is. With traditional dentures, the process may only take a couple of weeks. After teeth have been extracted and the gum tissue is healed, an impression is taken, which our dental laboratory uses to construct the dentures.
With implant-supported dentures, however, the timeline may take as long as 3-6 months or more. After the implant surgery, it takes several months for new bone growth to stabilize the implants before they can be used. Additionally, patients may need bone grafting or sinus augmentation to make implants possible, especially if they have already gone many years without teeth. This can add several weeks to the timeline. Although the process is most definitely longer, many patients prefer implant dentures because the feeling is much closer to that of their natural teeth.
To learn more about Duncan, OK dentures and implant dentures, make an appointment with Dr. Matthew Bridges. We will assess your oral and jawbone health and help you decide which type of denture is right for you. For Duncan, OK dentures, contact Chisholm Trail Smile Center at 580-255-4880 today!
