If you’ve lost most or all of your teeth, you may be considering getting implant dentures to rebuild your smile. But is this treatment truly right for you? Implant dentures offer many important advantages over traditional dentures, but they also have their share of disadvantages. Carefully weighing these pros and cons is essential if you want to ultimately make the decision that’s best in your specific case.
What are Implant Dentures?
A traditional denture sits directly on your gums. In contrast, an implant denture is anchored in place with dental implants, which are screwlike posts that are surgically attached to the jawbone. Dental implants act as artificial tooth roots that can give replacement teeth stability and chewing power that’s nearly on par with that of natural teeth.
There are two main kinds of implant dentures: fixed and removable. A fixed implant denture stays in your mouth 24 hours a day and can only be removed by a dental expert. Meanwhile, removable implant dentures can be taken out of your mouth at any time.
What are the Advantages of Implant Dentures?
There are several reasons why many patients nowadays are choosing implant dentures over traditional dentures:
- Stability: With implant dentures, the sturdy implant posts help ensure that the prosthesis stays in place at all times. That means you don’t have to worry about it slipping at awkward moments, such as when you’re trying to talk to someone.
- A More Varied Diet: Implant dentures offer better chewing power than traditional dentures. As such, they can restore your ability to enjoy all of your favorite foods again, including tough meats and raw vegetables.
- Jawbone Preservation: When your teeth are missing, your jawbone will start to deteriorate due to a lack of stimulation. Fortunately, dental implants can fulfil the same functions as your natural tooth roots; they can provide your jaw with the stimulation it needs, thus preventing bone loss.
What are the Disadvantages of Implant Dentures?
While implant dentures have plenty of advantages that make them worth considering, they also come with a few downsides that you should be aware of:
- A Higher Cost: Implant dentures tend to be more costly than traditional dentures. That said, many patients find implant dentures to be worth the investment thanks to their unique benefits.
- The Need for Surgery: When getting implant dentures, the implant posts must be placed via surgery. It typically takes a matter of months for the mouth and jaw to fully recover from the procedure.
- Not Right for Everyone: Not everybody is a viable candidate for implant dentures. Your dentist will need to evaluate your oral and overall health to determine whether dental implants are truly a good option for you. Note that even if you don’t currently qualify for dental implants, this can potentially change after certain preliminary treatments have been performed.
Ultimately, the best way to determine whether implant dentures are a good option for you is to schedule a consultation with your dentist. They’ll be more than happy to review the pros and cons of the procedure with you, and you can count on them to guide you toward the best solution for replacing your missing teeth.
About the Practice
At Zumbro Family Dental, our friendly dental team is proud to be helping families in Rochester enjoy healthier smiles. Led by Dr. Nicholas Brong, we offer a number of solutions for missing teeth. In particular, we work with local specialists to help our patients replace most or all of their teeth with sturdy, long-lasting implant dentures. If you’re trying to figure out the best way to fill in the empty space in your smile, contact us today at (507) 288-1066 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.
