| Full dentures are the most common restoration used | | | | 5) Improved Eating: Removable dentures can slide |
| for patients missing all of their natural teeth. The only | | | | during eating and make eating a complicated and |
| other alternatives to complete removable dentures | | | | unhappy activity. The ability to chew foods improves |
| are dental implants. Although removable dentures are | | | | dramatically with dental implants. While removable |
| usually the most inexpensive option for tooth | | | | dentures are only 20% to 25% as efficient as a |
| replacement, they can be uncomfortable and | | | | person's natural teeth, implant supported prostheses |
| inconvenient. Dental implants are an alternative to | | | | are 80% as efficient. A prosthesis supported by |
| consider (see comparison chart). | | | | dental implants functions like natural teeth making |
| A dental implant is a small man-made titanium fixture | | | | eating an enjoyable and easy experience. |
| that serves as a replacement for the root portion of | | | | 6) Improved Taste: A full upper removable denture |
| a missing natural tooth. Titanium is used because it is | | | | covers the roof of the mouth. Food is more difficult |
| most compatible with our human body. The dental | | | | to taste and enjoy. With an implant-supported |
| implant is placed in the bone of the upper or lower | | | | prosthesis, the roof of the mouth is not covered and |
| jaw and functions as an anchor for the replacement | | | | food can be tasted fully. |
| tooth. | | | | 7) Improved Nutrition and Health: Many foods cannot |
| 1) Improved Appearance: Dental implant supported | | | | be eaten with removable dentures. With an |
| prostheses are more natural than removable | | | | implant-supported prosthesis, people are able to eat a |
| dentures in appearance and more attractive. They | | | | varied, healthful diet that includes all necessary food |
| look and feel like natural teeth. Since implants fuse to | | | | groups for improved nutrition. Chewy and crunchy |
| bone, the prosthesis is permanent and | | | | foods such as carrots, lettuce and apples can be |
| non-removable. | | | | added to the diet. |
| 2) Improved Confidence: Removable dentures | | | | 8) Improved Speech: Removable dentures can make |
| become loose and can rock and cause | | | | speaking sound garbled. The teeth can slip within the |
| embarrassment for the wearer. With the dental | | | | mouth causing mumbling or slurring of words. With |
| implant prosthesis, a person can feel confident that | | | | dental implants normal speech is usually not a problem |
| teeth will not move. All regular activities can be | | | | and patients can feel confident that the teeth will not |
| performed without fear of embarrassment. | | | | slip during conversation. |
| 3) Comfort and Convenience: Removable dentures | | | | 9) Reduced Chance of Loss: Removable dentures can |
| can cause sore spots in the mouth under the | | | | be easily lost. Dental implant supported prostheses |
| denture. With a dental implant supported prostheses | | | | cannot be removed and misplaced. |
| there are no sore spots. Removable dentures can be | | | | 10) Bone Growth: One of most devastating problems |
| inconvenient because they require removal at night | | | | for patients wearing removable dentures is the loss |
| and for cleaning. They require messy adhesives. | | | | of bone that occurs over time. Gradually removable |
| Patients with dental implants do not experience these | | | | dentures become more difficult to wear because of |
| embarrassing situations. | | | | this bone loss. The ridge gradually wears away |
| 4) Durability: Implants have a high rate of success | | | | providing less and less ridge to support the denture. |
| and durability. They last many years. With good care, | | | | Dental implants act like natural teeth and aid in bone |
| implants can last a lifetime | | | | stimulation and growth. |