Implant Retained Dentures vs Traditional Dentures
With all of the tooth replacement options available today, it can be difficult to make an informed choice. Two of the most common solutions to a full mouth of missing teeth, however, continue to be traditional dentures and implant retained dentures. In considering the benefits and drawbacks of each option, outlined below, our recommendation is usually implant retained dentures, which we believe are well worth the cost and time that it takes to create them. For some, though, traditional dentures will remain a good option, particularly if the cost of implant retained dentures is prohibitive or surgery is not recommended or desired.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Traditional Dentures
Traditional dentures, while not the best long-term option, can provide clear benefits in the short term. Not only are they less expensive than implant retained dentures, they also don’t require surgical intervention, which can be an appealing option for those who don’t want to incur the cost and healing time involved in surgical procedures. The fact that traditional dentures fit over the gumline and are held in place by simple bone structure (and, in some case, adhesive for extra support) make them an easy and commitment-free tooth replacement technology.
Although the initial cost of traditional dentures is low, they do require regular maintenance and even replacement given the kinds of materials used as well as the ways in which your bone structure changes over time. Because they are not held into place with any added structural support, they can also move and float in ways that are often inconvenient to their wearer. For this reason alone, many clients who initially opt for traditional dentures end up making the change to implant retained dentures when they grow weary of this unwanted feature.
Benefits of Implant Retained Dentures
While their low cost and lack of surgical intervention may make traditional dentures the more cost-effective option in the short run, they require upkeep and even replacement over time, slowly adding to the cost of this seemingly inexpensive option. While the upfront cost for implant retained dentures is indeed higher, they also offer a more durable final product. With good care and regular checkups, many find that implant retained dentures last well over a decade, and up to fifteen years. The implants that support them last a lifetime.
In considering the cost of a dental appliance, it is important to consider the cost to one’s health, as well. While traditional dentures may be less costly, they also fail to provide an important health benefit that is built into implant retained dentures: the preservation of bone tissue in the jaw. Because implant retained dentures utilize implant fixtures that are firmly integrated directly into the jawbone itself, they are able to preserve bone health and actually stave off further bone loss. This is important not only to the structure of the jaw itself, but to that of the face; many of those who choose implant retained dentures find that they are much better able to maintain the structure of their face and smile even after having lost their teeth. Traditional dentures, on the other hand, do nothing to stimulate bone health or prevent further bone loss.
In terms of ease and comfort of wear, implant retained dentures are the hands down winner. Their strength and stability allow for better biting and chewing, and whether you opt for snap-on or fixed dentures (arches that are either removable or permanent), implant retained dentures are far superior in terms of staying put while eating, drinking, and speaking.
For more information on how either traditional or implant retained dentures could address your tooth replacement needs, call our office today for a consultation.