Treatment Options for Replacing All Missing Teeth
Treatment Options
Click each treatment option to learn more
Complete dentures have been a nemesis of mankind since they were invented. Though they do replace missing teeth and can be esthetically pleasing, there are few other accolades about dentures. Most dentures wearers admit that they would “do anything” to save their teeth if given the opportunity. Dentures are difficult to adapt to, uncomfortable to wear, painful to chew with and can cause public humiliation. Most denture wearers claim that dentures alter their lifestyle significantly.
| Removable Denture | Overdenture (Ball Attachments) |
Fixed Bridge on Implants | Smile in a Day™ /Teeth in an Hour™ (same day teeth) |
|
| Cost | Lowest | Much less than Implant Bridge | Much more than Denture | Same as Implant/Tooth Bridge |
| Treatment Time | 2-6 weeks | 2-6 weeks | 3-18 months | 1 hour |
| Appearance | Good | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
| Life Expectancy | 3-10 years (Ongoing maintenance & Adjustments) |
Lifetime (Only need to replace silicon housing) | Lifetime | Lifetime |
| Effect on Chewing | Poor | Good | Like healthy, natural teeth | Like healthy, natural teeth |
| Stability | Very Poor | Dependent on number of implants placed, and how far spaced from each other | Like natural teeth | Like natural teeth |
| Ease of Cleaning | Simple (must take teeth out at night) | Moderate | Like Natural Tooth Bridge | Like Natural Tooth Bridge |
| Palate Covered | Yes | 1/4 Coverage | No | No |
| Comfort | Very Poor | Good | Like natural teeth | Like natural teeth |
| Speech Change | Improves with time | Minimal | None | None |
| Preserves Bone | No | Dependent on number of implants placed | Yes | Yes |
How does complete tooth loss affect a person?
The loss of all of one’s teeth can contribute significantly to psychological, social, and physical impairment. Even when missing teeth are replaced with well-constructed dentures, there may be limitations in speech, chewing ability, taste perception, and quality of life.
The roots had previously stimulated the surrounding bone, maintaining the jaw’s natural shape. However, with no roots in place, the jaw bone will begin to resorb or shrink, because it no longer serves the purpose that nature intended. Many years of bone loss may cause your face to change. Your mouth and jaw appear to collapse, your lips look thinner, and there is an increase in wrinkles near the mouth and neck. This continual bone loss can alter not just our ability to chew, but also how we feel about ourselves: our confidence, our self-esteem. It can alter our lifestyle and affect us socially and professionally.
If you are missing all of your teeth and wear a full or partial denture, over the course of time you will experience complications such as ongoing bone loss and denture adjustments.
Click here to see the Effects of wearing a Full or Partial Denture.
Replacing a denture with an implant-supported full bridge or full denture is a better and more stable long-term solution, as dental implants will replace both your lost natural teeth and some of the roots.
Dental implants provide several advantages over other teeth replacement options. In addition to looking and functioning like natural teeth, implant-supported full bridges or dentures are designed to be long lasting. Implant-supported full bridges and dentures also are more comfortable and stable than conventional dentures, allowing you to retain a more natural biting and chewing capacity.
Click on the tabs above to explore treatment options for complete tooth replacement with the use of dental implants in New Jersey / New York. If you would like to schedule a personal consultation with one of our highly experienced dentists, please call our offices or click here to contact us through this site. In addition to performing implant procedures, our dentists are also skilled periodontists who can help you improve the health and appearance of your gums.
