Comparing Your Full Mouth Restorative Options

At Little Mountain Dentistry, we understand the significant impact that complete tooth loss can have on your life. Losing all your teeth, a condition known as complete edentulism, or having teeth that are beyond repair, referred to as terminal dentition, can affect your ability to eat, speak and smile confidently. Thankfully, there are several effective restorative options available to help you regain a functional and beautiful smile.

Traditional Dentures

Advantages:

  • Cost: Traditional dentures are generally the most cost-effective tooth replacement option available.
  • Quick Solution: Thanks to advancements in scanning technology, creating dentures has become significantly more efficient. Now, “digital impression” dentures can be completed in as few as two visits.
  • Removability: Removing a denture with little to no significant effort allows for great cleansibility and ease of care. While this can be seen as an advantage, most individuals view the removable aspect of dentures as a negative.
  • Noninvasive: The process of getting traditional dentures does not require surgery, making it suitable for patients who may not be candidates for surgical procedures due to health issues.
  • Low Maintenance: Those with dentures generally have fewer dental appointments compared to those with natural teeth or dental implants. Typically, an annual visit is sufficient for an oral exam, cancer screening, and appliance evaluation. Additionally, dentures are simple to clean and maintain, requiring less frequent professional care. *Note: Dentures need to be removed for cleaning and must be soaked overnight, adding a layer of maintenance to your daily routine.
  • Aesthetics: Dentures that replace a person’s failing dentition allow for quite an improvement in the cosmetic appearance of the smile.
  • Mastication: The ability to chew can improve for those getting dentures if you have few remaining teeth or no teeth at all.

Disadvantages:

  • Removability: As mentioned above, most individuals dislike the “removable denture” as this is a very common chief complaint in the dental world.
  • Stability and Retention Issues: Traditional dentures rely on suction and adhesives to stay in place, which can sometimes be unreliable, leading to slipping or discomfort.
  • Bone and Muscle Loss: Without the stimulation provided by natural teeth or implants, the jawbone will deteriorate over time. Bone loss causes dentures to destabilize and negatively changes facial structure and jaw support.
  • Speech: Top dentures cover the roof of the mouth. This requires an adjustment to the resting place of the tongue and changes the intricate muscle memory of speaking. Dentures require a “re-learning” period where practice is necessary to improve phonetics.
  • Taste and Gag Reflex: Again, with a top denture that has the roof of the mouth covered, taste and texture of foods are impaired. Those with sensitive gag reflexes do not tolerate dentures well.
  • Reline Requirements: Over time, dentures require relining to maintain a proper fit due to changes in the jawbone and gums.

Traditional dentures are a viable option for many patients and can significantly improve quality of life by restoring the ability to eat and speak properly. However, their limitations in stability and the potential for ongoing bone loss are important considerations.

Implant Overdentures

Advantages:

  • Removability, Low maintenance and Aesthetics: Similar advantages to a traditional denture.
  • Greater Retention: Implant overdentures are anchored by dental implants, providing much greater stability than traditional dentures.
  • Better Function: Allow for improved chewing efficiency and comfort.
  • Bone Preservation: Implants help to maintain jawbone density, preventing the bone loss that occurs with traditional dentures.

Disadvantages:

  • Surgical Procedure: The placement of dental implants requires surgery, which may not be suitable for all patients.
  • Higher Cost: Implant overdentures are more expensive than traditional dentures due to the cost of implants and surgery.
  • Maintenance Costs: The parts and attachments of overdentures may require periodic maintenance or replacement, adding to the long-term costs.
  • Reline Requirements and Stability: Implants for this type of prosthesis help to retain the denture in the mouth, but they provide little to no additive support as this type of denture normally relies and rests upon the gums as well as the implants. Overdentures need relines over time to maintain a proper fit.

Implant overdentures offer a middle ground between traditional dentures and fixed full-arch prostheses. They provide enhanced stability and function, making them a popular choice for many of our patients.

Fixed Full-Arch Prosthesis (All-on-4® Implants)

Advantages:

  • Permanent Solution: Fixed full-arch prostheses are permanently attached to implants, providing a stable and secure solution that feels and functions like natural teeth. They are not removable by the patient.
  • Less Bulky: Of all the options available to those missing their teeth, this one has the least palatal and gum coverage allowing significantly improved taste and speech.
  • Aesthetic Appeal: These prostheses are designed to look natural, offering excellent esthetic results.
  • Chewing Ability: Allows as close to “normal” chewing function as possible.
  • Bone Preservation: By placing implants throughout the jaw, bone loss can be almost completely mitigated in these areas.
  • Satisfaction: Those with well-made fixed full-arch prosthesis report high satisfaction due to the stability, retention, comfort, and improved quality of life they experience.

Disadvantages:

  • Surgical Procedure: This option requires surgery for implant placement, which may not be suitable for all patients.
  • Cost: Fixed full-arch prosthesis have a higher cost compared to the other options.
  • Time-Intensive: The treatment process can be lengthy, involving multiple appointments and a healing period.

Fixed full-arch prosthesis represent the pinnacle of tooth replacement technology. They offer unparalleled stability and function, making them the most desirable option for patients who want the closest possible experience to having natural teeth.

The Immense Benefits of Fixed Full-Arch Prostheses

While all tooth replacement options can improve quality of life, fixed full-arch prostheses stand out for their ability to provide a life-changing transformation. The stability and function they offer are unmatched, allowing patients to eat, speak and smile with complete confidence. The positive impact on self-esteem and overall quality of life is profound, making this option highly recommended for those who are suitable candidates.

Dr. Michael Cappellucci and our team are committed to helping our patients find the best restorative solution to meet their needs and goals. Whether you opt for traditional dentures, implant overdentures or fixed full-arch prostheses in Little Mountain, South Carolina, our dentist and team are here to guide you every step of the way to restore your smile and improve your quality of life. Call us at 803-816-0027 to learn more.