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Pros and Cons: Removable Dentures vs Permanent Implants

Posted on 01/09/2017 Dental Implants
Lower denture in situ

Missing teeth aren’t just unsightly, the gaps can affect a person’s ability to eat and to talk. Happily, there are procedures for the restoration of missing teeth. Your dentist will be able to talk you through the various options that might be available to you. In this week’s blog, we’re focussing on two treatments: removable dentures and permanent implants.

What are Dentures?

Dentures are removable false teeth. They can be ‘complete’ or ‘partial’. Partial dentures fill the gap when you are missing one or more of your teeth. Partial dentures consist of a plate, with one or more replacement teeth attached to it, that clips onto your natural teeth. Complete dentures (sometimes known as ‘a full set’) are comprised of two full arches of false upper and lower teeth. 

The Pros and Cons of Dentures

There are good points and bad points about removable dentures.

Pros:

  • Removable dentures will help you to eat, speak and smile with confidence.
  • The support of your facial muscles provided by dentures will stop your cheeks from looking hollow.
  • Modern dentures are very natural looking.
  • They are available on the NHS in the band 3 payment category (currently £244.30).

Cons

  • Adjustment period. Dentures take a while to get used to.
  • Eating and speaking with dentures requires practice.
  • They need caring for. They must be cleaned and stored properly when not in your mouth.
  • They will need to be replaced as they get worn and your jaw changes shape over time.
  • Ill-fitting or improperly used dentures can lead to gum infections.

What are Implants?

An implant is an artificial root that is placed in your jaw during a minor surgical procedure. The metal ‘root’ can then be used to anchor replacement teeth. A single implant is used for a single tooth replacement, but a full arch of eight to ten teeth may only require between four and six implants.   

The Pros and Cons of Implants

There are many benefits to be gained from using implants to anchor replacement teeth.

Pros:

  • The most important thing is that your replacement teeth will enable you to eat, drink, laugh, smile and talk with confidence.
  • Having permanent implants fully restored with replacement teeth will give a youthful shape to the lower half of your face.
  • No strain is put on your remaining natural teeth as your replacements are anchored to the implant not your neighbouring teeth.
  • Should your replacement teeth ever fail, they can be replaced quickly and painlessly.
  • Properly looked after, your implants should last for life.
  • At our practice, the success rate for implant procedures is in the high 90s percent. 

Cons

  • This treatment is costly. However, there is an extremely high satisfaction rating amongst our patients – most of whom think it money well-spent and some expressing the wish that they’d had it done years before.
  • The complete procedure takes between 6-9 months from initial consultation to final restoration.
  • You’ll have to learn a new cleaning regime to make sure that the gums around your implants stay healthy. Our hygienists will help you. 
  • Implant procedures are not suitable for all patients. 

Your dentist should be able to identify whether implants are a suitable treatment option for you. You will be referred to us for the implant procedure, but your own dentist may complete the restoration by adding the replacement teeth once your implants have healed and settled.

If you would like to know more about dental implants, please refer to our brochure: ‘All You Need to Know about Dental Implants’ which is downloadable from the banner at the bottom of your screen. Our reception team will be more than happy to answer any queries you have. Call Norfolk Dental Specialists on 01603 632525.

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