Dental implants and dentures are treatments indicated by dentists for those who have lost one or more teeth and suffer from the consequences of this. The loss of teeth can influence the patient's self-esteem, their diet, due to the difficulty of chewing certain types of food, or even progress to bone atrophy in the jaw, which alters the appearance of their face. If you require the replacement of all of your dentition, it can be scary and overwhelming to decide which solution is right for you. Each solution can come with advantages and disadvantages, and it is important that you work with your dentist to decide which solutions are right for your biology, your budget, and your timeline.
There are differences between conventional prostheses and prostheses supported by dental implants, regarding placement, oral hygiene, and other care that the patient must have. What is certain is that each patient looks for an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, who will evaluate their case and decide which procedure is the most recommended. Everything will depend on the clinical analysis, the patient's health history and even the patient's expectations.
Keep reading and understand more about the differences between conventional dentures and implant supported dentures.
Conventional dentures: fixed or mobile
Dental prostheses can be of two types: fixed or mobile. Fixed dentures utilize dental implants to secure them to the jaw, whereas mobile dentures use adhesive and suction to “stick” to your existing gums. Removable dentures require specific care and removal every day to ensure they stay clean, sanitary, and usable. Compared to the fixed prosthesis, the mobile one is easier to clean because it is removable. Cleaning can be done with a soft toothbrush or denture cleaner.
Traditional dentures can replace a complete arch, not requiring the existence of healthy teeth in the mouth. However, because they are mobile, they can cause some insecurities when talking, chewing or performing other social activities. Because they cover the palate in your mouth, many traditional denture users complain about a dulled sense of taste and issues chewing and swallowing food.
How implant-supported dentures work
Implant supported dentures can replace a complete missing dental arch, similar to traditional dentures. The implant method consists of placing screws made of titanium inside the jaw bones, acting as a fixation for the complete set of artificial teeth. The level of stability that this technique gives the patient is far superior to that of conventional dentures, offering greater masticatory power and more security to perform daily activities. With implant supported dentures, the full set of prosthetic teeth are affixed to dental implant screws, securing them into the mouth. These dentures can either be removable or fixed, meaning they never come out. There are several ways your dentist might place the implants in your jaw; the method used will depend on your oral health and topography, as well as the strength and amount of jawbone that you have.
Those who use fixed implant-supported dentures can perform oral hygiene in the traditional way, with brushing, flossing and rinsing. With the right care, it's easy to maintain optimal and long-lasting treatment results.