Implant Retained Dentures vs Implant Supported Dentures
Dental implants are a popular and healthy way to restore missing teeth! Implants can be used to replace one missing tooth or an entire mouth of missing teeth. Implant retained and implant supported dentures are both excellent options that are natural looking and more aesthetically pleasing than a traditional denture.
Your dentist will review both options with you before you decide which denture will be best for you. Implant dentures are more invasive than traditional dentures that simply sit on top of your gums but traditional dentures can allow bone structure to deteriorate over time. Dental implants act as the root of a tooth and help stimulate bone regeneration. When your jaw bone deteriorates, not only does your facial structure change, but your denture will become ill-fitting and need to be replaced.
Before either type of denture is chosen, your dentist will refer you to an oral surgeon or periodontist to determine if you are a candidate for implant placement surgery.
Implant Retained Dentures vs Implant Supported Dentures
Both types of implant dentures require invasive implant placement surgery but there are two major differences that should be taken into consideration. One is cost. Implant retained dentures are usually less expensive than implant supported dentures. The other difference is that implant supported dentures are screwed onto the implant and cannot be removed except by a dentist, while implant retained dentures are made to be removed by the patient for cleaning and sleeping.
Which implant denture is right for me?
When you discuss your options with your dentist, these are the determining factors that will be addressed:
Lifestyle: Your diet can actually affect which type of denture will be best for you. Patients who regularly consume food that is harder to chew such as steak or other foods that require extensive chewing may be best suited for implant supported dentures. Patients who have a plant-based diet or who do not eat red meat may find that implant retained dentures will work for them.
Oral hygiene also has a role in determining what type of denture will be best. Patients with poor oral hygiene will have better success with implant retained dentures that can easily be removed for cleaning every day. Patients that simply do not want to take their denture out every night to sleep will be better off with an implant supported denture.
Overall health: Patients with medical issues such as sleep apnea or TMJ problems will be better served with an implant supported denture. Sleeping in a denture can help alleviate stress and pressure on the jaw during the night; a night guard will further benefit patients suffering from these issues.
Cost: Probably the biggest deciding factor when choosing what type of implant denture is best will be the overall cost. An implant supported denture can cost up to $30,000 per arch. An implant retained denture is significantly less costly and may run up to $8000 per arch. The cost of your implants will also add to your overall expenses. The more implants you need to secure your denture, the more the cost of your treatment will be.
Any patient missing a significant number of teeth should discuss their options with their dentist.