If you have traditional dentures, you may be frustrated with their maintenance, look, feel, and bite strength. If this is the case, you may be looking for a different solution to replace your missing teeth. One excellent option is permanent (implant-supported) dentures.
Below is helpful information about permanent dentures, including what they are, their advantages, how they compare to conventional dentures, and the placement process.
What Are Dental Implants?
Whether it’s a single implant or an entire row of teeth, dental implants involve the placement of a rod or rods (titanium or ceramic) in the jawbone of a patient to hold a prosthetic in place. These implants fuse with the jawbone to create unparalleled strength, security, and longevity.
What Are Permanent Dentures? What Are Their Advantages?
Permanent dentures (also known as “implant-supported dentures”) are a dental implant option that is intended to replace an entire row of teeth.
There are some fantastic advantages of permanent dentures, which include:
- Bite strength: Dental implants allow for an extraordinary level of bite strength that simply can’t be matched by conventional dentures. You’ll be able to bite and chew most of your favorite foods again without worry.
- Appearance: The appearance of permanent dentures is stunning. They can be made to look very similar to your natural teeth. You can smile wide and with pride knowing that your dentures will generally go unnoticed.
- Security: Dental implants help to hold your dentures in place securely in a way that conventional dentures simply can’t. As they are installed in your jawbone, they are able to hold your dentures tightly and ensure they don’t slide around. This helps both with comfort and bite strength.
- Longevity: Dental implants can last decades (or even a lifetime) if they are properly cared for. While the prosthetic dentures themselves may need to be replaced over time, the implant procedure may be a one-time procedure.
- Jawbone health: Over time, without teeth, your jawbone will likely begin to deteriorate. This, in turn, leads to face sagging and other complications. Dental implants help to stimulate the jawbone and ensure its ongoing strength and longevity.
- Clear speech: If you currently have dentures or missing teeth, you know how difficult it can be to speak clearly. With permanent dentures, you can better enunciate and communicate.
- Cost-Effective: While the upfront cost for implant-supported dentures is higher, over time these dentures often end up saving patients money. As the implants can last decades, the need to replace your dentures may be significantly lowered. They also keep your jawbone strong, which can help to lower the chances of needing a bone grafting procedure in the future.
Permanent Versus Conventional Dentures
Now that you know more about the advantages of permanent dentures, you may be wondering why everyone doesn’t simply go with implant-supported dentures instead of conventional dentures. The reality is, there are both pros and cons to permanent dentures, and conventional dentures may actually be a better choice for some patients.
One consideration is the cost. Permanent dentures cost significantly more than conventional dentures upfront. Another issue is the jawbone integrity of the patient. If a patient’s jawbone has deteriorated over time, they may not be a candidate for dental implants. While bone grafting may be an option to improve the strength of the jawbone and allow for the placement of implants, this procedure costs extra and isn’t 100% guaranteed to work.
So, while implant-supported dentures have a lot of benefits, there are also some drawbacks that may lead some patients to opt for conventional dentures.
The Placement Process
The placement process of permanent dentures begins with a trip to your dentist for an initial consultation and examination. They will check your gums and jawbone, which will include x-rays. From there, they will determine if your jawbone is strong enough to place dental implants. If it is not, they may discuss the option of a bone grafting procedure with you. If you decide to move forward with a jawbone grafting procedure, this will take place before your implant is placed.
The next step is a visit to have the implant rods placed. Your dentist will surgically open your gums and place the rods into your jawbone, where they will fuse with the jawbone over time. You will be provided with temporary dentures in the meantime. It’s important to note the implant process may take multiple visits.
After the rods have been given time to fuse with your jawbone, your dentist will schedule you for the next phase, which is the placement of the abutments and healing caps. Your dentist will also take impressions and start the preparation process for your new dentures. After a healing period, your dentures will be attached and adjusted for proper fit and bite.
Bone Grafting for Permanent Implants
The bone grafting procedure for permanent implants involves the surgical placement of bone material to strengthen the jawbone over time. This allows for the placement of dental implants. The material used is generally the patient’s bone, the bone of a donor, an animal’s bone, or a synthetic material. It’s important to note that, while bone grafting works very often, it isn’t guaranteed to provide adequate density for the placement of dental implants. Your dentist will discuss the likelihood of the procedure being a success with you beforehand so you can make an informed decision as to whether it is the right option for you.
Reach Out Today to Learn More
If you have conventional dentures and are considering the switch to permanent dentures or you are getting dentures for the first time and would like to learn more about your options, reach out today to learn more. We’ll be happy to schedule you an appointment for a consultation and examination to determine what replacement options are available to meet your needs. From there, your dentist and you can discuss the right option for your budget and preferences.
