Dentures vs. Full Mouth Implants
Even though traditional dentures and full mouth dental implants offer similar results, it's important to know the differences so you can make an informed decision about which one is the best fit for your life.
Pros of Full Mouth Dental Implants
- Feels natural. Compared to other tooth replacement options, full mouth dental implants feel the most natural. With permanent implants, there is no way for them to move around like with traditional dentures, making them feel even more comfortable and natural.
- Strong material. Full mouth dental implants are made with a very strong material that makes them exceptionally durable. This means that they are able to stand the test of time – data has shown that they can last for 20 years or even longer with the proper care.
- No diet restrictions. Seriously, none! You can eat all of your favorite foods again with comfort and ease. We do advise against things such as chewing ice, but we advise against that with natural teeth as well.
- Not removed from the mouth. This gives you peace of mind. No more having to worry about your dentures falling out when speaking or leaving them on your bedside table at night. With full mouth dental implants, once they’re in, you can forget that they’re not your real teeth.
Cons of Full Mouth Dental Implants
- Difficult to clean. Even though your new teeth will not be able to get cavities, it’s still important that you practice excellent oral hygiene. This helps to keep your gums healthy. While it can be difficult to clean underneath the arch, the use of a water pik makes it much easier.
- Requires maintenance. You will still need to come in for regular dental checkups so that we can ensure that everything looks okay with your implants. We will likely remove them once per year for a deep clean so that we can make sure that everything looks good with the actual implants that are in your gums.
- More expensive. It’s true, full mouth dental implants are the most expensive option for teeth replacement. However, the cost equates to the quality. The quality of full mouth dental implants is vastly better than traditional dentures and the implants will last much longer. Additionally, there are many financing options that can make them more affordable.
Pros of Traditional Dentures
- Least expensive. Traditional dentures are the expensive tooth replacement option – at least at first. Dentures require lots of maintenance and need to be replaced every 7-10 years.
- Can look nice. Dentures can look very nice. They can vastly improve the aesthetics of your smile.
Cons of Traditional Dentures
- Difficult to eat with. With dentures, you may need to avoid eating some of your favorite foods. Since traditional dentures are not secured in place, they will move around a lot when you bite and chew. This can cause discomfort for patients and lead them to not eat their favorite foods.
- Loss of taste. Since dentures cover the roof of your mouth, it causes a reduced sense of taste. In addition, it can also cause a reduced ability to sense temperature. This can cause you to possibly burn yourself because you can’t tell that food is too hot.
- Gum and bone loss. Over time, you will see significant gum and bone loss supporting the mouth. This causes skin sagging, facial drooping, and the appearance of premature aging.
- Bulky. Many denture wearers complain that they feel bulky in their mouths. This causes them discomfort whenever their dentures are in.
- Need repair. Dentures are not made of a super durable material like full mouth dental implants are. This means that they will need many repairs due to accidental damage and normal wear and tear.
What is the Difference Between Dentures and Full Mouth Dental Implants?
The key differences between the two options come down to comfortability, durability, ability to eat, and price. Full mouth dental implants come out as the clear winner in all of those categories except for price, but with teeth replacements, you do get what you pay for. If you have any additional questions about traditional dentures or full mouth denture implants, reach out to our office and we will be happy to answer any questions.
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