denture x-rayDentures have come a long way since their early days. Technological advances in both dental materials and denture construction mean full and partial dentures are more natural and comfortable than ever before.

But dentures are not always an ideal solution.

So, if you’re like the majority of Americans who have dealt with tooth loss, on a small or large scale, when should you consider dentures, and when might an alternative, like dental implants or implant-supported dentures, be the better option?

Dentures disclosed

The biggest advantage of dentures compared to dental implants is their cost. Especially for patients who need to replace all or most of their teeth, dentures are the cheaper alternative. Dentures may also be the best choice for people whose gums and jaw are weak or unhealthy, as implants may be difficult to place.

But dentures can accelerate the loss of the jaw bone, consequently altering the patient’s facial structure, often accelerating the aging process and making the cheeks appear sunken and sagging. As the bone loss continues, dentures become looser, which can lead to discomfort, irritation and sores in the mouth. Denture wearers also complain of difficulty eating or tasting foods, difficulty speaking, the hassle of bonding and adhesives, and the challenges of cleaning their dentures.

While in Sparks, dental bridges, partial dentures and denture repair, remain popular, Caffaratti Dental Group also offers an alternative, permanent, more secure solution.

funny dentistryAdvantages of implants

Dental implants can be a great alternative for patients missing one or two teeth, as well as those who already wear dentures or need their entire mouthful replaced. Dental implants maintain the jaw bone just as the natural tooth does, keeping your facial structure supported, eliminating a pre-mature aging look. Customized to match your natural teeth, the implants will blend seamlessly with your smile. Because dentures can require repair and maintenance costs, the expense of implants balances out in comparison over time.

What is a dental implant?

A dental tooth implant is a natural-looking titanium tooth root that replaces a lost tooth or teeth. Since the titanium in dental implants biochemically joins to the jaw bone it provides a long-lasting bonded artificial tooth that replicates the original teeth, restoring chewing function entirely.

Our Sparks implant dentistry team also offers full mouth dental implants that snap in and snap out, called implant supported dentures and which are similar to the idea of dentures but offer much greater stability and a more natural look, as well as full dental implants that are permanently connected to the jaw bone.

Snap-On implants for full mouth reconstruction

For our Sparks dental implants patients who need a full upper, lower or entire mouth restoration, implant supported dentures offer the most stable option. The process includes the placement of four to eight implants on top and four on the bottom to support the immediate fitting of replacement teeth or implant stabilized dentures. While similar to the idea of dentures, as the teeth can still snap in and out, the jaw bone is stabilized and will not continue to atrophy. Teeth are permanently secured, eliminating problems with eating or speaking that traditional dentures can present.

With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime. Call us today to schedule your consultation and determine if dental implants can restore your youthful, beautiful smile.