Back in the day, it was all about dentures and bridges. Now, not so much. With the advancements in oral care, there have been many advancements in dental technology.
Dentures are okay if that is what you want, but there are some cons to getting them. Wearing dentures can lead to bone loss, and they can be uncomfortable. When you have a beautiful smile, you are more confident. Often denture wearers don’t have that same confidence because they are afraid that their dentures will slip off when they smile or slip when they are eating in public.
Dentures also have to be cleaned in a special way to stop odors from developing. If you are missing teeth, dentures are not your only option. There are dental implants, overdentures, and dental bridges.
Dental Implants
In lieu of dentures, dental implants are the most common alternative. Dental implants are titanium prostheses implanted into your jawbone. The titanium implant anchors your false teeth into your mouth. This means you don’t have to worry about your teeth or the plate coming out.
The main methods used for implanting dental implants are the All-on-4 and the All-on-6. With the All-on-4 method, there are 4 implants, while with the All-on-6 there are 6 implants.
The method that will be used for your procedure will depend on what you and your dentist decide and how many teeth and roots you have missing. If you have a lot of your top and bottom teeth missing, most likely your dentist will suggest the All-on-4. But if you have some teeth missing but a lot more remaining roots, then the All-on-6 may be better.
Overdentures
Maybe you don’t want to get dental implants. If that is the case, then overdentures might be a better fit for you. Dentures are kept in place by some kind of adhesive. Overdentures are kept in place by dental implants or the teeth you have left.
Overdentures are ideal for people who have little to no teeth left. If you have lost most of if not all of your teeth, you may experience bone loss. Losing bone in your jaw could make you appear older or disfigured. Overdentures are kept in place securely by dental implants, so they will help stimulate your jawbone. This stimulation will help slow or even stop bone loss.
Dental Bridges
A dental bridge is ideal for people only missing a few teeth. This false tooth is kept in place by either a crown or dental implant. Dental bridges will not slip out when you eat or talk, so in that regard, they are better than dentures. To put in the crown that comes with a dental bridge, the surrounding teeth structure needs to be removed.
Some people don’t want to get dentures, and that is understandable. They can be embarrassing, especially if they slip out while you are talking, eating, or smiling. The best way to know which alternative would be best for you is to speak with a dentist. If you would like to know more, contact Southland Dental Care for a consultation.
Click here to learn more about Implant-supported overdenture as an alternative to the complete mandibular denture
