Dentures are a long-standing choice for enhancing oral functionality, and modern technological advancements improve them. Implant-supported dentures have revolutionized denture repair and replacement.
Implant-supported dentures are a contemporary solution that provides more benefits than traditional dentures. Understanding these benefits is essential, especially if you are caught between choosing traditional and modern dentures.
However, when considering the best dentures for a natural smile or a tooth replacement, you should base your decision on the long-term effects, comfort, stability, and aesthetic results. So, this article gravitates toward the benefits of implant-supported dentures over traditional ones.
What Is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a tiny titanium post surgically inserted into an individual’s jawbone to replace a missing tooth. It mimics the natural tooth root, and through a process known as osseointegration, the implant is attached to the surrounding denture bone to form a solid base for a replacement tooth.
The tiny implant post is the tooth root, offering the support and strength necessary to stabilize the replacement tooth. A professional can use dental implants to replace single or multiple teeth or pair them up to support dentures.
What Makes Implant-Supported Dentures Different From Traditional Dentures?
Traditional and modern dentures offer effective results but stand out in convenience and stability.
- Traditional dentures are associated with an invasive and less convenient fit, while modern dentures, like implant-supported dentures, offer a more natural application.
- Another difference between the two options is that traditional dentures are less stable. They are placed directly on the gum tissue and held with adhesives or suction without solid clipping, which weakens them over time. On the other hand, implant-supported dentures are securely anchored to multiple dental implants, reducing the risk of movement or slippage.
- A dentist more easily removes implant-supported dentures for cleaning and maintenance than traditional dentures.
Benefits of Implant-Supported Dentures
Many patients are familiar with traditional dentures and the processes of bonding them to the gum region while awaiting a new tooth replacement. It requires periodic modifications as the jaw gradually takes a perfect shape.
But this complex treatment process is streamlined, thanks to implant-supported dentures, which are instead implanted inside the bone of the jawline as anchors. This modern-improved denture is removable but with a dentist’s help.
Some of the reasons why you should choose them over traditional ones include:
Improved Stability
Modern dentures are a lot more different from regular ones, as they are usually connected directly to the jawbone and appear like natural teeth. They are more stable because of this firmer connection, and as a patient, you can eat whatever you want with an implant-supported denture. If you feel like eating hard or chewy food, you have no fear, as the dentures will not weaken like they would have if the process involved the traditional ones.
Implant-supported dentures also have stability, which allows patients to speak more clearly. Usually, regular dentures move away from the position they were connected to, making public speaking unclear. Implant-supported dentures make it more practical to speak and laugh confidently and eliminate the odds of dentures coming loose or slipping away from their position. Because of their sturdy fixture, patients are less likely to damage the dentures accidentally.
Prevents Bone Weakening
Another benefit of implant-supported dentures is that they prevent bone degeneration. They are also more stable than traditional dentures, which makes it impossible for them to rub over the gums. The embedded implants revitalize the jawbone and prevent bone deterioration. Regular dentures are not usually affixed directly to the bone, and this may cause jawbone atrophy because there is no boost in that area due to missing teeth.
When the bone shrinks, it alters the shape of the jaw. The dentist usually adjusts traditional dentures to align with these changes. For some patients, this can be frustrating and emotionally cause premature aging and wrinkles. However, implant-supported dentures do not have these problems, and patients will not need to worry about facial changes or misaligned jawlines.
Enhanced Comfort
Traditional dentures come with heightened discomfort because of their mass clunkiness. This often threatens the gum, as the resistance between the denture and gum might cause mouth ulcers and sore spots. The case is different with implant-supported denture repair and replacement. Aside from its solid attachment to dental implants, it staves off the need for bonding agents, which come with discomfort. Instead, the dentures fit perfectly and balance chewing and biting pressure, significantly lowering the risk of soreness and irritation.
Longevity and Durability
Regular denture repair and replacement require occasional amendment and renewal due to damage, deterioration, or a jaw and mouth shapeshift. On the contrary, implant-supported dentures have a longer lifespan, and this durability makes it possible for patients to wear them without fear of damage. The dental implant comprises high-quality solid materials that withstand day-to-day wear and tear. You can sustain implant-supported dentures for years by practicing oral care and maintenance. This will save you more money and reduce frequent dental appointments.
Improved Oral Health
Implant-supported dentures have long-term benefits for better oral health, as the implants preserve the health of neighboring teeth. Unlike regular dentures, implants are easy to clean because they fit the gum snugly, preventing tooth decay and gum diseases. For general oral health, implant-supported dentures enhance bite alignment, maintain facial shape, support surrounding teeth, lower plaque buildup, and improve chewing efficiency.
Elevated Self-Confidence and Appearance
Tooth loss comes with many other things besides discomfort. And by choosing custom-fit dentures, a person’s self-confidence can improve, especially during social gatherings. Regular dentures usually move or make clicking sounds, which can lower a person’s confidence to smile or make public speeches. However, implant-supported dentures have the functions of a natural tooth, allowing patients to reclaim their self-esteem freely without worrying about any issue related to dentures.
Conclusion
For many individuals, implant-supported dentures provide a combined solution, blending the best denture for a natural smile and implants to ensure a long-lasting treatment for those needing to renew their teeth. The device has many benefits, from stability to durability, aesthetic appeal, and speech clarity, ensuring that patients get the treatment they want while enjoying life as they should. Aside from its admirable functions, which are incomparable with traditional dentures, these comfort-fit dentures offer a solution shaped to everyone’s needs.
