Dental Implants May Make Dentures a Thing of the Past

With proper care, the average person’s teeth should last them a lifetime. Occasionally however, a person may need to have their natural teeth replaced. Customarily, those needing to have their teeth replaced have been limited to dentures or bridges. While each provides many of the benefits of natural teeth, they also have some significant disadvantages. Although dental implants have been in use since the 1960’s, they have recently become much more popular as an alternative to dentures and bridges. Given their advantages, dental implants may make dentures and bridges a thing of the past.

What are dentures and bridges and what are their drawbacks?

Traditional removable dentures, also known as false teeth, are a dental prosthetic designed to replace natural teeth. The two types of dentures are partial dentures, which only replace some of the teeth and full dentures, which replace all of the teeth. While dentures are very common, most find them uncomfortable, awkward and difficult to live with because they tend to move when talking or eating, require special care and cleaning, and have some distinct disadvantages to dental implants. A bridge, or fixed partial denture, is a dental prosthesis consisting of three or more teeth, used to replace one or more missing teeth. A removable bridge is built on a metal framework and can be taken out, as needed, by a patient. A fixed bridge, unlike a removable bridge, is permanently cemented onto adjacent teeth. While both types of bridges require special care in order to prevent further oral hygiene issues, fixed bridges, pose the greatest risk. Since a fixed bridge is supported and adhered to adjacent teeth, these teeth must have a portion of their outer layers removed for the bridge to bond. This thins or removes the protective layer of enamel of these adjacent teeth, making them more susceptible to tooth decay. Some studies have shown that as many as 50% of the teeth prepared for bridge work require a root canal within 3 years.

What are dental implants and what are their advantages over dentures and bridges?

Dental Implants are small artificial root replacements consisting of titanium screws that are placed into the jaw bone. Over a period of months, these implants fuse with the bone allowing a strong and durable root for an artificial tooth or dental appliance to be secured. There are many significant advantages of dental implants over dentures or bridges, a few of which include:

Longer lasting - When properly maintained, dental implants can last a lifetime as opposed to dentures and bridges that can wear down and develop decay over time. No decay can form on a titanium root.

Improved fit - Dental implants do not slip or move inside the mouth as dentures can. As patient ages, bone loss in the mouth can cause dentures not to fit as well. Dental implants actually help preserve bone.

Improved eating and speech capability - Because dentures can move inside the mouth, wearers often have difficulty speaking clearly and eating harder foods. In addition, most denture wearers complain about a loss of taste or a frequent bad taste in their mouths because the dentures cover the roof of the mouth. This usually does not happen with dental implants.

Can anyone get dental implants? Dental implants are not always suitable for everyone. Patients must undergo a comprehensive dental exam to determine if they are a good candidate. In some cases, the jaw bone may not be dense enough to support an implant. Your dentist will also review your dental and medical history for factors such as diabetes or bone loss, which can affect the success of the implant procedure.

Source: Rocky Mountain Dental Partners – dental implants in Denver