Building Confidence With Dental Beauty

Whether you currently wear dentures or are planning to be fitted for dentures in the near future, you may be wondering whether or not the use of dental implants in conjunction with these dentures is the right option for you. Like all tooth replacement options, you will find that the use of implant-supported dentures comes with pros and cons. Taking the time to explore these advantages and disadvantages can help you to determine whether or not implant-supported, or snap-on dentures as they are commonly called, are right for you.

The Advantages Of Implant-Supported Dentures

No Need For Denture Adhesives 

With the added support that dental implants provide, there is no need to use any adhesives in order to keep your dentures in place. Despite the lack of adhesive use, you will find that your dentures are more secure and provide a stronger bite when using dental implants to secure them in place.

Prevents Future Bone Loss 

One of the primary reasons that many denture wearers experience significant bone loss in their jaw over time is that the tooth sockets are left empty, allowing the bone to shrink. Dental implants eliminate this problem by filling the sockets. 

Avoid The Need For Denture Adjustments 

Most denture wearers need to return to their dentist several times over the years to have their dentures adjusted for proper fit due to the changes in their jawbone. Since dental implants are able to prevent these changes in the jawbone, they are also able to allow denture wearers to avoid the need for adjustments. 

The Cons Of Implant-Supported Dentures

Requires Ample Bone Strength 

Using dental implants to hold your dentures in place will require you to have a strong, healthy jawbone. Consequently, your dentist may determine that you are not a good candidate for this procedure if you have suffered bone loss due to aging, advanced gum disease, or prolonged denture use.

Requires Additional Healing Time 

Dental implants require a prolonged healing period while the jawbone forms around the implant. This means that you will need to make several visits to your dentist over the course of several months in order to complete this procedure.

Costs More Than Traditional Dentures 

As you may expect, implant-supported dentures are more expensive than traditional dentures. This can be an important factor to consider especially if the implant procedure is not covered by your dental insurance.

For more information on dental implants with dentures, contact a dentist in your area.