Implant Retained Dentures Vs. Implant Supported Dentures
If you are missing most or all of your teeth, it can be difficult and overwhelming to know what type of treatment options are even available, let alone which treatment option might be best suited for you. Thanks to advancements in dental implantology, patients who have missing teeth now have much better alternatives than traditional dentures. While traditional dentures can provide a good alternative for some patients, many find them to be very uncomfortable and feel frustrated by the level of maintenance required, in addition to them constantly slipping out of place while they are eating or speaking.
Implant retained and implant supported dentures offer a much stronger, more durable, and natural feeling solution. Instead of resting directly on the gums, implant retained and implant supported dentures attach to a titanium post that is placed into the jawbone. After a period of some months (on average three to six) this post naturally fuses with the surrounding jawbone, at which point a permanent or detachable denture can be placed. To learn more about implant retained versus implant supported dentures, please refer to the following.
Implant Retained or Implant Supported: Which is Right for Me?
While both options will result in a much stronger, more natural feeling alternative to traditional dentures, there are some important differences to keep in mind when deciding which option is best suited for you. Implant supported dentures cost more than implant retained dentures, but part of the reason for this is because they provide a more durable solution. Implant supported dentures also requires less specialized maintenance. To ensure the longevity of your implant retained denture and avoid developing complications like peri-implantitis, you will need to remove your denture each night and thoroughly clean around the implant site and the implant, which then needs to be placed in water in a safe space. Implant supported dentures eliminate the need for this type of maintenance and can essentially be cared for just like your natural teeth.
This added stability and strength also means that an implant supported denture will allow you to enjoy different types of foods that are harder or chewier. Implant retained dentures will still allow you to enjoy a considerably larger amount of foods compared to traditional dentures, but do not provide the same chewing and biting power as implant supported dentures.
How to Decide Which is Right for You
Fortunately, both implant retained and implant supported dentures will provide a superior solution compared to traditional dentures. While it is important to research all available treatment options to determine what is best suited for your needs, the only way to know for certain whether implant retained or implant supported dentures are best suited to your needs is to schedule a consultation with your periodontist. They will be able to answer any questions you may have and provide their professional opinion as to which treatment option is best aligned with your specific treatment goals and informed by your specific oral and physical health history.