Options for Patients Who Want to Remove and Replace All of Their Teeth
Living with missing teeth and/or lasting oral health problems not only causes painful symptoms, but can also affect a person’s health, diet, speech, and appearance. Many of our patients who have persistent oral health concerns due to past injuries, genetics, damage, a history of poor oral hygiene, or age eventually decide that removing and replacing all of their teeth is the best way to completely restore their smiles, eliminate unpleasant symptoms, and achieve the appearance they want.
Options for Patients Replacing All of Their Teeth
Patients who wish to replace all of their teeth have fewer options than those only replacing a few teeth, but they do still have options that range in cost and vary in procedure.
Full Dentures
Full dentures are a type of dental appliance designed to look natural and fit a patient comfortably while worn throughout the day. Full dentures help patients eat and speak more normally. Though dentures are long-lasting and typically the least expensive option for replacing all of a patient’s teeth, they do have some drawbacks. Dentures can sometimes slip or move around, which can make eating certain foods less comfortable. They must be removed and cleaned thoroughly each night. Dentures also do not actively engage the jawbone, which can alter appearance as the bone deteriorates over time.
Dental Implants
Dental implants consist of a post which is implanted and fused to the jawbone and an attached crown that replaces the missing tooth. Although they are more costly and require a more invasive procedure for installation, dental implants do not have the same drawbacks as dentures. They are fixed, so they do not move around like dentures. They also mimic actual teeth in the mouth, actively engaging the jawbone and preventing bone deterioration. Dental implants look, feel, and function like a patient’s natural teeth.
All-on-Four or All-on-Six
Patients can achieve the look, feel, and function of dental implants, without replacing every single tooth with an implant. With this option, the dentist mounts a permanent denture onto just four or six dental implants per top and bottom jaw. (The number of implants depends on the patient’s individual needs.) These patients will benefit from a healthy, activated jawbone in addition to a complete set of fixed teeth that function as natural teeth. This option is less expensive than a full set of implants, while more functional than full dentures.
Schedule Your Smile Restoration Appointment Today
If you have an incomplete smile or frequently deal with dental problems, you don’t have to suffer through the painful and sometimes embarrassing symptoms. At Cardinal Dental, we provide patients with a complete list of both general and cosmetic dentistry services designed to keep their smiles both happy and healthy. If you are missing one or several teeth, or if you are considering having your remaining teeth removed and replaced, we encourage you to schedule a consultation to discuss all of your options with our experienced dentist.
