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Scott E. Keith, DDS, MS, FACP Quincy Gibbs, DDS 
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Posted on 10/30/2016 by Front Desk |
 Tooth loss has a severe impact on your life, affecting your speech and ability to eat. Dentures can restore these functions to normal, as can dental implants. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, but should you do half implants and half dentures?What are Dentures?Dentures are a removable prosthetic, held to your gums with dental adhesive. They can be used to replace a full bridge of teeth or just a section.They are created in a lab from molds of your gums, creating a proper fit. You may need to be refitted from time to time, as your jaw changes without any tooth roots. What are Dental Implants?Implants are a permanent prosthesis. Metal rods are implanted into your jaw bone and these rods support any number of missing teeth, from one to a whole bridge. Implants require a surgical procedure and a lengthy recovery time, but they can help preserve the integrity of your jaw bone.Condition of Jaw In order to have implants put in, you first need to have sufficient bone mass left in your jaw. Without enough mass to fuse to, implants won't be successful. Implants can be placed in areas where the bone is strong enough, while areas of weak bone will require dentures. Top and Bottom Replacements Dentures are often not as comfortable on the bottom jaw. They tend to come loose more often and give more trouble. Implants don't move, and also don't require daily removal to clean. But for some, the idea of surgery in both arches may be too much. Implants in the lower jaw with dentures on the top can provide a compromise. There is less surgery and you don't have to worry about the lower denture coming loose or falling out. Cost Cost is often a major deciding factor between dentures and implants. A full set of dentures can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $8,000 depending upon the quality, but most insurance will cover most, if not all of the cost. Implants, on the other hand, cost on average $34,000 for a full set and most insurance won't cover the cost. If you prefer implants, but cannot afford the full set, you may be able to have both implants and dentures. Implants are often the better option when it comes to replacing missing teeth. They require less maintenance time and they help maintain the integrity of your jaw. But if your jawbone is too weak or you cannot afford a full set, wearing half dentures and half implants is a good alternative. Contact our office to discuss your options. |
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