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Dugan and Sweeney Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery has many great options to help patients get back on track to healthy, attractive, and functional smiles. Dental bridges, removeable dentures, and dental implants are some of these options. Here is a comparison of the three options to help you narrow down your choices. Names of our patients have been modified to ensure their privacy.
Dental Bridges
Roberta is a 58-year-old female patient with several teeth missing in her upper jaw. She chose a bridge because it was easy and fit within her budget. This option was highly recommended to replace her missing teeth by permanently attaching to her adjacent healthy teeth. When she decided to move forward, her adjacent natural teeth were filed down to provide the proper space for her new replacement teeth. Additionally, prior to her treatment, she was examined to make sure she was free of tooth decay and her teeth were structurally stable to ensure proper attachment for her dental bridge.
Benefits of Bridges:
Roberta found that she liked the option of a bridge because it was cheaper than options like dental implants, no surgery was required, and her treatment was quicker than other tooth replacement options. She was also happy that her choice provided less risk and could be replaced quickly.
Drawbacks of Bridges:
One of the biggest downsides to this process is that once Roberta’s natural teeth have been ground down for anchors to the bridge piece, they will never be normal again. Moreover, interfering with the tooth structure increases the risk of future decay and the possibility of root canal treatment. Roberta also discovered that she will need to have her bridge replaced or adjusted every 5 to 7 years.
Removable Dentures
Maurice, a 62-year-old male patient got removable dentures after losing most of his upper teeth due to poor oral hygiene in his younger years. His dentures consist of an arch of removable replacement teeth that are anchored in a gum-colored base of moldable plastic. Removable dentures are typically used to replace multiple teeth, but they can also be used to replace a single tooth.
Benefits Of Dentures:
For patients like Maurice on a limited income, dentures were an easy option that fit his budget and were relatively easy to get. In fact, Maurice was able to get a custom set made in just a few weeks. This allowed for speedy restoration of his basic bite function without resorting to surgery or altering his surrounding teeth.
Drawbacks For Dentures:
Although he likes being able to chew once again, Maurice admits that his dentures are sometimes a bit uncomfortable and they look much less natural than the other options. Secondly, he was informed that his dentures would not halt deterioration that can occur in the jawbone when teeth are missing for long periods. Ultimately, this can result in a sunken facial appearance and loss of jaw muscle tone. Additionally, Maurice sometimes has difficulty speaking clearly and enjoying some of his favorite foods. His dentures must also be replaced every ten years or so.
Dental Implants
Aiden is a 32-year-old patient who lost three teeth in a bike accident. He chose dental implants because they were a permanent and natural-looking option. He was not disappointed with the results. Here is some addition information about the option that is now considered the standard of care in tooth replacement.
Benefits of Dental Implants:
Dental implants are a wonderful tooth replacement treatment for patients like Aiden because they are the only option that can reduce or eliminate jawbone deterioration. This means that Aiden’s jaw muscles stay strong, supple, and extremely functional. His dental implants also need no extra care and can also be cared for just like his natural teeth. In addition, insurance companies they are starting to cover dental implants through insurance.
Drawbacks of Dental Implants:
Aiden discovered that one of the biggest drawbacks of dental implants is that the process was also much longer than other options that are ready in just weeks. Aiden’s dental implants required multiple visits over the course of 3-6 months. Although they were not necessary for Aiden, supplemental procedures like bone grafts and tissue augmentation may be required for some patients.
What is All-on-4?
You may have heard of this treatment, but may not know what it entails. All-on-4 is a unique hybrid of dentures and dental implants that combines the best of both worlds into one treatment that can replace a full arch of teeth. Unlike removable dentures or bridges, All-on-4 is permanently placed just like a regular implant, only it rests on about four or more implants. This way, patients can have a full arch replacement and the added bonus of osseointegration to boot. We have found that All-on-4 is also preferable for patients who have a sensitive gag reflex when wearing dentures or partials. The dentures are secure and comfortable, helping patients to chew and speak naturally without the fear of slipping.
Patients who are missing a whole arch of teeth have loved their All-on-4 treatment, although the placement procedure can take longer than it does to receive a set of removable dentures. During your consultation, ask Drs. Sweeney or Dugan about your qualifications for this alternative treatment.
Contact Our Office Today For All Your Tooth Replacement Options
Here at Dugan and Sweeney Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our staff is ready and proud to serve our community by transforming less-than-perfect grins into healthy and attractive smiles. If you live in the Greenville, Zelienople, Butler, or Pittsburgh areas, call us today to schedule a dental implants consultation and get your own smile transformation started now.
