IMPLANT RETAINED VERSUS IMPLANT-SUPPORTED DENTURES
Clinical studies have shown that dental implants have a success rate of 95 to 98 percent. Dental implants can last a lifetime if they are placed by a skilled and experienced surgeon. Traditional restorations like dentures last seven to ten years on average, while bridges last for about fifteen years.
Implants retain the denture on the wearer’s mouth and are anchored to the jawbone with titanium fixtures, whereas implant-supported dentures are anchored to the gums with implants.
The decision about which type of implant to use for a denture should be made in consultation with a dentist before you start any dental work.
The differences
Implants are used in dental treatments to help support the replacement of missing teeth, also known as dentures. Unlike fixed bridges, which require precision and can take a long time to be adjusted or installed, implants are stable and easy to adjust. Implants are designed by dental labs for biocompatibility and will not cause rejection by the body, unlike the metal-based components of fixed bridges.
Implants are currently more expensive than fixed bridgework because of their use of titanium and the creation process. However, with the advancement in 3D printing technology, it is possible that in the future implants could be constructed cheaply from tissue-matched plastic or resins.
There are two types of dentures:
- implant retained
- implant-supported.
IMPLANT RETAINED DENTURES:
Implant retained dentures provide stability for the teeth that have been implanted into the jawbone. These can be used with dental bridges, partial dentures, crowns, or a combination of these restorations
Due to dentures being held firmly in place, patients can bite, chew, and speak with ease just as if they had natural teeth.
Despite providing more support than traditional dentures, implant-retained dentures can cause sore spots on the patient’s gums. This type of denture may need to be relined from time to time since the bone and tissue around the teeth change over time and a precise fit needs to be achieved.
The benefits of an implant retained denture are that they are more natural-looking and the appearance is not too different from the original teeth. They do not fully replicate a natural bite and must be removed at night and for cleaning.
IMPLANTS SUPPORTED DENTURES:
Implant-supported dentures are built to keep a prosthetic tooth in place. They are the most sophisticated type of denture that can be fitted. They are also called fixed, or complete dentures.
Unlike conventional dentures, implant-supported fixed dentures absorb the entire force of a bite, providing patients with the most natural and efficient bite. A treatment with mini dental implants is often not an option due to the greater number of implants required. Consequently, the procedure can be more expensive than conventional implant placement. An implant-supported denture is typically better suited for patients with a high upper smile because the replacement can help conceal the denture’s connection to the gum line. Implant-supported dentures are more orthodontically correct than implant retained dentures.
One of the benefits of an implant-supported denture is that it provides a more natural fit, less sensitivity in the cheek area, and the ability to smile more naturally.
Ultimate Dental Laboratory is based in the New York City Area and serves dentists nationwide. Get a free estimate today!
Ultimate Dental, Denture, Crown & Implants Lab 31 W 34th St STE 7162, New York, NY 10001 (332) 282-2399 https://ultimatedentallab.com/
