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Dentures vs Implants: Which One is Right for Me?

Dentures vs implants

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There are many ways to replace missing teeth; however, durability and efficiency vary between restorative prostheses types and which of them align best with your needs, budget, and lifestyle. At Sauve Clinic in Turkey, we specialize in helping patients like you achieve their dream smiles with personalized care and world-class dental expertise.

So when you need to replace 4 or more missing teeth in your mouth, your options for replacement may include removable Dentures, Implant Supported Dentures like overdentures, or Implant Supported Bridges like all-on-4 or all-on-6. This article will guide you through which dental prostheses are more comfortable and which one is best for you.

Dentures and implant-supported prostheses are both used for replacing missing teeth but they differ in functionality, natural-looking, longevity, and cost.

Traditional Dentures vs implants advantages  

  • Both are used in cases where traditional dental bridges wouldn’t be efficient.
  • Both are biocompatible and mostly used to replace more than 3 missing teeth.
  • Both are used instead of dental bridges in case one of the last abutments is missing.
  • Traditional Dentures are less expensive cost-wise than Implant-supported dentures.
  • Dentures are less invasive and don’t require any surgical Interventions.
  • Dentures are fast solutions for missing teeth and don’t require any healing period. 
  • Dentures are the best choice for medically compromised patients who suffer from heart disease, and diabetes.
  • Implants are fixed permanent restorative prostheses, unlike removable dentures.
  • Implants are long-term solutions, unlike dentures which are quick short-term solutions for replacing missing teeth.
  • Implants are more natural-looking and have a more comfortable feeling
  • Implants prevent bone loss by stimulating the jaw bone to generate periodontal ligaments and new bone around the implant titanium screw.

Traditional Dentures vs implants disadvantages 

  • Dentures are removable and mostly lack stability during mouth movements and functionalities; they show rocking, shifting, and rubbing over the gum.
  • Dentures may shift or slip during eating or speaking, resulting in discomfort or embarrassment.
  • Removable dentures are retained on the ridge by the bony undercuts and physical pressure of the well-developed ridges. On the other hand, if the ridge is absorbed, shrunk, low in volume and density, and not well-shaped, the denture retention is lost and the removable denture is easily moved out of its place. 
  • If the patient still has some teeth left, dentures are retained by attaching clasps “hooks” over the neck of these teeth which badly affect the patient’s remaining teeth, appearance, look, speech, eating, and may not feel comfortable.
  • Patients with removable partial dentures are more liable to denture fracture, clasps fracture, and not fitting over time due to bone shrinkage and resorption.
  • Patients with dentures over time experience significant bone loss specifically in the lower jaw.
  • Removable dentures need rebasing or realigning upon wearing, sooner or later.
  • Wearing an unfitted removable denture for a long time can cause some serious oral lesions like oral sores that have been recorded with percent of prevalence among denture wearers by PubMed as:
    • Many chronic Inflammations related to denture wearing with lack of oral hygiene, presence of some denture flaws such as an unfitted denture, rubbing the rough inner surface against gingiva while mouth movement, or prolonged gum diseases with plaque accumulation, conditions are strong candidates for chronic infection with Candida albicans.
    • Inflammation of the corners of the mouth and red patches and crust formation on the Lip commissures called “Angular Cheilitis” (15%)
    • Inflammation of the palatal mucosa of the upper jaw upon injuries, infection with candidiasis, or mechanical friction of wearing a denture called “Denture Stomatitis”   (50%)
    • Overextended dentures and unbalanced occlusion cause “traumatic ulcers” (5%)
    • Uneven masticatory forces over the denture cause chronic bone resorption and are replaced by fibrous tissues to turn the alveolar bone forming the ridge into a soft “Flabby Ridge” (10 – 20%)
  • Implant-supported dentures and bridges are much more expensive and high-cost than removable dentures.
  • Implant placement requires surgical Intervention.
  • Abutments over dentures aren’t used unless the healing period is over and bone integration with implant screws is obtained.
  • If a patient suffers from low bone density or volume at the implant placement site, he may require a prior surgical operation to prepare the site with bone grafting and membrane.
  • Patients with conditions like diabetes or heavy smokers may need additional consultations and treatments before implant placement.

All these disadvantages of the traditional removable denture make prosthodontists shift toward using implant-supported prostheses, even in cases where denture wearing is more suitable they advanced to use overdentures or snap-on dentures, not the traditional dentures anymore. 

So when you seek to replace 4 or more missing teeth you exclude removable dentures – unless they are temporary-, and go to Implants that show more durability, and longevity and mimic natural teeth functionality and smile. However, there are still snaps-on-denture and all-on-4 dental implants both supported by Implants. So, choosing implants drives us to the next question:

It’s essential to understand that both snap-on dentures (overdentures) and All-on-4 implants have some features in common.

  • Both are supported by Implants through surgical placement through the bone and need time to heal and place the abutments.
  • Both eliminate friction with gum, with no rubbing, no slippage, and thus, no oral sores.
  • Implants discourage bone resorption so that the facial muscles won’t collapse and the patient’s appearance will stay the same over time.

Comparison between Overdentures (Snap-On Dentures) and All-on-4/ All-on-6 Implants pros and cons 

Comparison between Overdentures (Snap-On Dentures) and All-on-4/ All-on-6 Implants pros and cons 
  • Procedure
    • Snap-On Dentures: need 2 to 4 implants that fit on 2 to 4 locators on the underside of the overdenture plate which attach on top of implant abutments. Snap-on dentures essentially clip into place.
    • All-on-4/All-on-6 Implants: 4 or 6 implants placed with certain angulation through the mouth from side to side for each arch, the pontics then screwed permanently the implants’ abutments.
  • Recovery and Healing Time
    • Snap-On Dentures: minimal healing time is required.
    • All-on-4/All-on-6 Implants: needs a longer recovery period of 3-6 months for full healing. 
  • Removability
    • Snap-On Dentures: These are removable and need routine denture aftercare and maintenance.
    • All-on-4/All-on-6 Implants: permanently fixed, doesn’t require removal, and needs special Implant aftercare.
  • Implants count needed to support and stability
    • Snap-On Dentures: supported by 2-4 implants 
    • All-on-4/All-on-6 Implants: Supported by 4-6 implants for full arch stability.
  • Amount of Gingival Coverage
    • Snap-On Dentures: covers the roof of the mouth, similar to traditional dentures.
    • All-on-4/All-on-6 Implants: do not cover the roof, just extend 3-4 mm over the prosthetic crown if needed, allowing a more natural feel.
  • Functionality
    • Snap-On Dentures: chewing and speech functionality improved over traditional dentures, although with limited chewing efficiency, the patient should stick to a soft diet.
    • All-on-4/All-on-6 Implants: Chewing and speech functions mimic natural teeth, allowing any type of diet.
  • Comfort
    • Snap-On Dentures: although there is no rocking or slipping, they still require occlusal adjustment.
    • All-on-4/All-on-6 Implants: feel more comfortable with natural jaw articulation during mouth functions and various movements.
  • Appearance
    • Snap-On Dentures: restore smile but look less natural compared to All-on-4.
    • All-on-4/All-on-6 Implants: Closely mimics natural teeth for a seamless, natural smile.
  • Cost
    • Snap-On Dentures: These are more expensive than traditional dentures but are more affordable.
    • All-on-4/All-on-6 Implants: Higher cost, but cost-effective long-term.

Choosing between dentures and Implants has many factors to consider. Prosthodontist consultation and patient diagnosis take the upper hand in the choice scheme.

Why Choose Implants over Dentures?

  • If the patient isn’t medically compromised, bone status is good, shows commitment to good oral hygiene, and looking for a permanent esthetic solution with little financial concerns then All-on-4/All-on-6 Implants are their best choice and investment with high quality and stability over time.

Why Do People Choose Dentures Over Implants?

  • Some People may choose Snap-on Dentures over Implants when they can’t afford the higher cost and can’t tolerate the invasive procedures, or have some chronic gum irritation, but are okay with daily maintenance and some limitations in functionality.

How We Will Help You At Suave Clinic

  • At Sauve Clinic, we care for patients’ diagnoses, needs, and expectations by providing personalized dental care tailored to each individual by our highly skilled dental professionals and our advanced technology.
  • We are sure that there are a lot of factors that should be considered while choosing between implants and dentures according to each patient’s budget, oral and general health status, age and lifestyle, and the desired outcome, as we highlighted in this article. Our mission is to guide you through the pros and cons of dentures and implant-supported dentures to better know what is right for your case.

We provide world-class dental services at competitive prices, making high-quality treatments accessible to patients from the USA, UK, and beyond, with flexible financing options, we prioritize your comfort and satisfaction every step of the way.

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Implants-supported dentures last longer and show much more stability and durability than traditional dentures. 

Yes, It’s easier to eat with Implants as it is anchored with titanium screws within the jawbone and shows no rocking, no slippage, or shifting during eating, unlike traditional dentures which lack stability.

Yes, you can easily switch from traditional dentures to overdenture or snap-on dentures which are supported by Implants, by rebasing the old traditional denture, placing 2-4 locators on the inner side of the denture plate, and placing implants on the corresponding sites in the jawbone, as the denture locators are designed to snap securely onto the implant abutments, offering improved stability and functionality.

Medically Reviwed By Alaa Elsayed –

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