Dentures vs. Dental Implants Burbank, CA
Info on Dentures vs. Dental Implants provided by Lawrence Toomin, DDS
and Mark Bieber, DDS
in Burbank, CA at Toomin & Bieber Aesthetic Comprehensive Dentistry
Tooth loss is a serious issue that has many significant effects. Losing your teeth affects your abilities to eat and speak properly. Your digestion suffers, as does your overall health. Losing your teeth also leads to bone loss in your jaw, which causes the jaw to change shape. The more teeth you lose, the worse the effects. When you are missing all of your upper or lower teeth or all of the teeth in your mouth, your facial appearance suffers as well. Your lips and cheeks sink in. Your skin begins to sag and wrinkles form. Suddenly, you look years older than you are. All of these issues can have a significant impact on your confidence. At Toomin & Bieber Aesthetic Comprehensive Dentistry, we can help by replacing your missing teeth. We can use dentures, implants, or both to restore your smile.
Dentures
Dentures are the traditional treatment used for replacing an entire arch of missing upper or lower teeth. They can also be used to replace both arches. Dentures are removable prosthetic teeth that consist of acrylic resin teeth set into an acrylic base. They are made from molds of your mouth, and the base sits directly on your gums. While they replace the functions of your missing teeth, they do have some drawbacks. They can slip out of place, often cause discomfort, require significant care, and cannot stop bone loss in your jaw.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are a newer treatment option available for replacing missing teeth. This revolutionary treatment is versatile and can be used for single tooth replacement or for replacing an entire arch of missing upper or lower teeth. This treatment uses small titanium posts that are surgically implanted into your jawbone. Your bone fuses to the posts as you heal, integrating them into your jaw. Once you have fully healed, your permanent replacement crowns are placed on top.
Implant Options for Full Arch Replacement
There are a few different options available for full arch replacement:
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Screw retained dentures. This type of treatment can be used in either jaw. It uses six to eight dental implants to support your teeth. The teeth are screwed on to the posts and are not removed unless professional maintenance is needed.
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The All-on-4 Treatment Concept. This treatment is used when you do not have sufficient bone mass in your jaw to support six or more posts. Instead, your teeth are supported on only four posts, which are strategically implanted into your jaw to maximize contact with your existing bone.
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Bar attachment dentures. This treatment uses four to six implants. A titanium bar is attached to all of the posts after their placement. Your new teeth clip into place on the bar.
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Ball attachment dentures. Used in the lower jaw, a ball attachment denture uses only two posts. Your teeth snap into place.
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Individual implants. In some cases, each tooth may be replaced with its dental implant. This treatment is the most expensive option. You may also be limited depending upon the condition of your jawbone. |
Combining Dentures and Implants
If you are missing all of the teeth in both of your jaws, it is possible to have a full mouth replacement with dental implants. However, this option is costlier. It is possible to have implants placed in one arch and have a denture created for the other. Typically, the denture is made for the top arch while the implants are placed in the lower arch, where a denture is more likely to slip out of place.
Replacing your missing teeth is essential for getting your life back. Call Toomin & Bieber Aesthetic Comprehensive Dentistry today at (818) 748-9998 to schedule your consultation and learn which options are best for you.
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