If you are among the individuals who have lost all your natural teeth, you must have used dentures at some point in your life. Although these bring back confidence as you eat and speak just as you would with natural teeth, they have disadvantages. Dentures can become loose when wearing them, especially while eating, and you are left with no option but to bite on sticky pastes. Simply put, eating is quite different, and certain things will require you to learn how to chew with your dentures. Moreover, it is worth noting that with regular dentures, there is a loss of about 80% of the chewing capability.

Implant-retained or implant-supported dentures are a proposition that provides you with a whole new set of dentures that are a lot like your originals. The situations and varieties of dentures available for patients can get overwhelming, so at Port Lavaca Dentist TX, we help answer some of the most frequently asked questions.

Advantages of Traditional Dentures

• Conventional dentures still provide an affordable solution for patients with lost teeth. There is new fancy technology worldwide, but dentures are an old, effective solution with some advantages. This is because removable dentures can be easily cleaned, and the hygienist can work on them without needing the patient to visit a dentist. Furthermore, they can also include some features designed according to the patient’s mouth, making its use very comfortable for a patient. Dentures are also a good solution for patients who might not be suitable for more complex treatments, such as implants or bridges. Dentures can last for years; as such, they are useful replacements for lost teeth since they are not expensive.
• Conventional dentures are common when it comes to the prosthetic rehabilitation of patients who lost their teeth. In terms of the maintenance process, conventional dentures are reported to be easier to maintain than other dental prosthetics. Dentures, however, are not fixed and can be removed to enhance cleaning and other practices lower in the oral cavity. Proper care and cleaning are known to last for several years. Not only is the maintenance simple, but it is also cheaper than other prosthetics available on the market. Permanent dentures are made from acrylic material that can fit the specific dental status of the patient. Conventional removable dentures could serve as a great solution for many patients looking for an affordable and straightforward form of dental rehabilitation.
• Conventional dentures are good-looking devices with numerous personalization options to match the patient’s aesthetic sense and ensure a near-perfect fit. These dentures are very advantageous for those who need dental prostheses that can readily replace their lost teeth in a fast and affordable way. Thanks to the advancement in technology and materials, dentures can now be made to the shade and form the patient’s natural teeth.Conventional removable dental prostheses can be regarded as a benefit compared to other dental restoration types; they are relatively cheap and require little tissue preparation. Lastly, these dentures can offer patients a very aesthetic appearance and a high degree of flexibility to rebuild the confidence they lose due to their dental problems.

Disadvantages of Traditional Dentures

• Conventional dentures are a good method of replacing your teeth and biting ability. However, they have some disadvantages too. To begin with, conventional dentures need periodic adjustment and replacement since they do not function like natural teeth. Since gums in a mouth change with time, so do dentures; hence, a patient must see the dentist regularly for a denture adjustment or replacement. Also, regular dentures cause some discomfort as these prostheses rest on the gum line compared to implant dentures. This can cause inflammation and friction, which are most uncomfortable as they cause soreness and irritation.
• Apart from being clunky, typical dentures require more support for efficient chewing. Chewing forces are significantly lower than natural dentition; thus, people have a lot of trouble chewing on some foods.
• In addition, traditional dentures are loose and slide in the mouth while speaking or eating. This can be embarrassing and uncomfortable for some people, making them self-conscious about their smile.
• Last but not least, traditional dentures can easily move around in the mouth and do not allow for bone loss that happens after extraction. This leads to symptoms such as resorption of jawbone tissue and degenerative changes in the face, such as sunken cheeks and a receding chin around the mouth area.

Benefits of Implant Supported Dentures

• All patients searching for a secure and long-lasting dental restorative procedure will find implant-supported dentures or permanent teeth to be of much benefit. For more severely affected patients, this method of implant-supported dentures provides a full set of new teeth that are indistinguishable from normal teeth. They offer better support than conventional dentures since they can become ill-fitted or cause discomfort.
• The biggest benefit of implant-supported dentures is that they are more comfortable than regular ones.
• Unlike normal dentures, each implant provides the support needed to secure the prosthetic tooth in a vacuum-sealed fashion. This implies that patients can tolerate dentures that become loose or unstable during speaking or eating.
• Other types of dentures are also fixed in place with implants, and this is also different from other removable kinds because they do not dislodge or become loose as they sometimes do. This means the patients are not in a position where they constantly have to worry about when their dentures will come out when eating or speaking.

Drawbacks of Implant Supported Dentures

• Dental implants are the most stable and effective way dentures can be anchored and kept in place. However, it is worth noting that this method has its drawbacks. Implant-supported dentures may be costly, and therefore not everyone can afford to use this type of denture. The more implants are required, and if the patient needs a bone graft, the more the fee can quickly escalate.
• Furthermore, dental implant surgery is not an easy task. It is best done by a professional, and the whole process may take 6-12 months or more, depending on the person’s needs. This means that a patient has to wait for a long time before he or she gets the advantage of having that specific type of denture.
• Fixed or implant-supported dentures are even more demanding regarding care and maintenance than nonfixed systems. The implants require constant monitoring and cleaning to ensure that they remain healthy, but this will also demand more of a person’s time and money.
• Besides, dental implant failures may be attributed to poor implant location, low bone density or bone quality, or a systemic condition that interferes with the healing process. However, when it comes to dental implants, failure may lead to discomfort, pain, and other related complications, which may, in turn, call for further surgical intervention.

Summing It Up

Over time, most people will concur that dentures supported by implants are a better investment. Regular dental checkups are not necessary because implant-supported dentures help maintain bone integrity. Patients can also enjoy their favorite foods because these dentures can tolerate greater biting force. Additionally, compared to conventional dentures, implant dentures require less upkeep—say goodbye to sticky denture adhesives.