Dentures vs. Implant Dental Bridges

If you are missing most or all of your teeth you have probably considered getting dentures. While traditional dentures restore the look of your smile and support facial muscles, they come with some disadvantages. Because a traditional denture rests directly on top of the gums but has no underlying support, the gums and jawbone lack the stimulation of tooth roots to keep them strong and healthy. Bone loss, receding gums, and face shape alteration are not uncommon for denture wearers. A patient who experiences these consequences may need denture resizing and can be at risk for periodontal disease. Other disadvantages of dentures can include:

• Slipping and sliding

• Gum irritation

• Minimal chewing support

• Impaired talking ability

• Embarrassing clicking or sucking noises

• Reduced food taste

  
  

Alternatively, dental bridges provide a longer-term and healthier solution for tooth replacement. Instead of having to reshape the adjacent healthy teeth, one or more dental implants are positioned into the gums to function like tooth roots. These dental implants attach to the dental bridge, creating chewing support and preventing bone or gum loss. In addition, implant supported dental bridges are slip resistant, since they are attached firmly to the implants.