Missing teeth can have a significant impact on your daily life, impacting your ability to chew, talk and smile. This difficulty does not need to last though, with a variety of options available to replace missing teeth, including removable bridges or dentures and fixed dental implant bridges. Both have different benefits and considerations, so which of these two options is best for you? Let’s examine dentures vs implants.
How do dentures work?
Often known by the term ‘false teeth’ or ‘falsies’, dentures are a type of prosthetic device used to replace a full set of teeth, or even single or multiple missing teeth, either in the upper or lower jaw. A denture is made with an acrylic or Cobalt Chrome Cast metal frame onto which are attached the replacement teeth. The frame is shaped to uniquely fit each patient’s gums and mouth shape.
Dentures come in two main forms: complete and partial. Complete dentures are used to replace an entire arch of teeth, whereas partial dentures are used when only some of the teeth in an arch are missing, with a precision fit around the remaining teeth.
How do dental implants work?
The main alternative to removable dentures, dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone to support a replacement tooth or bridge. A full jaw implant restoration combines three parts, including the titanium implants, an abutment that attaches to the implant and then a dental crown, bridge or full arch prosthesis that is screwed down onto the abutments.
Are implants better than dentures?
Implants and dentures each offer a different set of advantages and things to consider. Whether implants are better for you than dentures, or the other way around, will depend on your individual circumstances. This is how they compare.
Treatment and healing
Traditional dentures do not require surgery, but some decayed or damaged teeth may need to be extracted first. With dentures, an impression of your mouth is taken so that your dentures specifically match your mouth profile. From there, they should fit comfortably onto your upper or lower jaw.
It is important to note that dentures require ongoing maintenance like any dental restoration. Healing and remodelling of the jaw bone means that dentures will almost always over time become less comfortable, lose retention and require a reline or remake to suit the changing shape of the mouth and face over time.
Implants by contrast require a small surgical process. An experienced implantologist will make an incision into your gum and delicately prepare a small hole in the jaw bone. The titanium post will be placed into this hole. Having implants placed is also typically a longer treatment, as each implant post is required to fuse with the existing bone in the jaw (osseointegration) before it can support a tooth restoration. In cases where ideal bone volume is not present, it may be necessary to perform a small bone graft.
Each implant can take between 3 and 6 months to heal before a crown can be placed. An exception to this is when a full arch of teeth is to be replaced with an implant supported bridge. In these cases, placing the final bridge as soon as possible after the implants is imperative to a successful outcome.
Maintenance
Both implants and dentures require you to maintain good oral hygiene, but in slightly different ways. Implants should be brushed twice a day and flossed to remove plaque and prevent tartar and calculus build up. Dentures, due to their removability, are not to be worn during sleep and should be stored in a denture box, then rinsed before being placed back in the mouth upon waking. They should also be brushed at least once a day. It is important for patients to also clean their mouths after they remove their dentures.
Cost
While hard to directly compare costs, given that there are multiple forms of both treatments, implants typically require a more upfront cost than dentures, due to the need for more extensive surgery. However, the durability of implants often makes them more cost-effective long-term, as they require fewer replacements over time when well maintained.
Options when you are missing some of your teeth
Single dental implants
A single implant is used when you have just one missing tooth. The implant post is placed where the missing tooth was located provided enough residual bone is present. Once the implant has osseointegrated and healed, a custom-made crown is prepared and then attached. With an implant, the crown may require a replacement over time but the implant itself should last a lifetime if properly looked after and maintained in a disease-free and inflammation-free state.
Implant bridge
When there are multiple adjoining teeth missing in an arch, instead of replacing them with an implant for each tooth, your dentist may opt to place an implant bridge. This is where a series of connected teeth are created and attached to a minimum of two implants to cover a gap.
Partial dentures
Your dentist may suggest partial dentures if you are missing multiple teeth in an arch, but not all of them. They fill the gaps created by missing teeth while leaving the surrounding natural teeth unaffected. Partial dentures typically fit in place due to their precise fit and attachment to adjacent teeth with metal clasps.
Options when you are missing all of your teeth
Traditional complete dentures
Traditional complete dentures are those that sit on your gums but are not permanently fixed in place.. As such, they do not require any surgery to be placed. However, they can lose their stability over time, leading to the need for multiple relines, modifications or replacements.
Implant-retained dentures
Sitting halfway between traditional dentures and full mouth implants are implant-retained dentures. With this treatment, between 2 and 4 implants are placed in the jaw to anchor a denture in place, rather than relying on a natural fit like traditional dentures. An implant supported denture can be temporarily fixed to the implants and easily clipped on and off by the patient.
Compared to traditional dentures, implant dentures are typically more secure and stable thanks to the implant used to anchor them. Additionally, having implants placed often helps to prevent further bone loss in the jaw. These implant retained dentures should also be left out of the mouth whilst sleeping at night.
Full mouth implants
Full mouth implants is the umbrella term for treatments that use at least four implants to replace an entire arch of teeth in the upper or lower jaw. More common terms include All On 4, All On Implants or AOX, All On 6, Proarch, Neoarch etc.
While these are all similar treatments, full arch implants are typically more durable and longer lasting than their alternatives. They also usually feel less bulky in the mouth and more like natural teeth. They are the most expensive upfront option to replace an entire arch of missing teeth, but their significant durability and comfort often make them a more cost-effective option providing patients with the best quality of life outcome.
Dentures vs implants — what’s right for you?
With so many options available, patients can be sure that they will be able to have their missing teeth replaced in some way, depending on their individual circumstances. Your dental surgeon at CDIC will help to advise you on the best possible treatment options for you, whether that is dentures or implants, factoring in your existing oral health, remaining teeth, financial situation and long term desires.
Our PrincipaI Implantologist Dr Hillel New has been delivering patients restorations with implant solutions for over 25 years. If you are interested in exploring dentures and implants, or other teeth replacement options, get in touch to book a consultation at CDIC today.
