Implant Supported Dentures vs. Conventional Dentures
As you learn about your options for replacing missing teeth, you’re probably discovering that there are quite a few types, and that each of them has its own benefits and drawbacks. Two of the more well-known replacement options for multiple missing teeth are traditional removable dentures and implant supported dentures, which share some similarities and also differ significantly in many ways. Understanding these similarities and differences can help you decide if one of these choices will work for your needs and preferences, and you and your dentist can discuss your options in greater detail to address your questions and concerns during your treatment consultation, but it’s helpful to have some basic information to guide your initial choices.
Conventional dentures are supported by the gums and the bone beneath them and are held in place with an acrylic base and denture adhesive. These removable dentures are known for rubbing up against the gum tissue, which can cause painful sores and abrasions. Because conventional dentures are removable, they can be an affordable, accessible choice for many people. These dentures are cleaned outside of the mouth and soaked in liquid overnight, helping keep them supple and provide some relief to the oral tissues while sleeping. Implant supported dentures are dentures that are held firmly in place by at least two, though usually four or six, dental implants that have been surgically embedded in the jawbone. This prevents the denture from pressing or rubbing on the gums. Some implant supported dentures are designed to snap off, while others are permanently attached in the mouth and can only be removed by a dental professional, and both of these types of implant dentures are intended to provide decades of stability and success.
One of the key differences between implant supported dentures and conventional dentures is that traditional dentures rest on top of the gum tissue and bone, while implant dentures don’t. This means that each type affects the oral tissues, especially the bone, in different ways. Conventional dentures are held in place with an acrylic base that fits into the mouth, like a retainer. While upper dentures can be stabilized reasonably with this base, there is less available room to hold lower dentures, which makes dentures very likely to irritate the gum tissue in the lower row especially. As they apply pressure to the bone, the bone shrinks, a process that is accelerated and exacerbated by the absence of teeth and tooth roots that normally stimulate the bone that supports them. This can create a sunken appearance in the lower face and lend to the illusion of premature aging.
Implant supported dentures, on the other hand, are fortified by the bone and help fortify it as well. The bone that surrounds the implant bonds permanently, stimulating and maintaining bone health, supporting the facial structure, and helping the implant stay strong as it supports the denture. They don’t rub or create sore spots, and they allow patients to eat and speak comfortably without an ill-fitting denture interfering, which can help them maintain a balanced diet and support their self-esteem. Because they involve surgery, the treatment time for implant supported dentists is longer, and they also cost more than conventional dentures. For many people who are missing several teeth, however, the noticeable benefits of implant supported dentures are well worth this investment.