Dental implants and dentures are two options to replace missing teeth. However, they are drastically different in appearance, function, feel, and durability. The old-fashioned denture process of making fake teeth and resting the fake teeth on the gum tissue is extremely outdated. Dental implants are the most sophisticated way to replace missing teeth.
Old Fashioned Dentures
Most people who are missing all their teeth wear old-fashioned dentures. Very frequently the patients had the fit and function of their plastic teeth. Old-fashioned dentures look like teeth but are only plastic trays that rest on the gum tissue. Dentures become loose-fitting due to shrinking gum tissue and disappearing bone. This causes irritation to the mouth and gum tissue and results in sores and pain. Old-fashioned lower dentures fit poorly because the lips and tongue are constantly moving the denture off of the gum tissue. The lower denture is extremely unstable. A loose lower denture will restrict your ability to eat. Furthermore, a loose lower denture can slip and fall out during eating, speech, or laughing. In the past the only solution that was available was messy denture adhesive. Upper dentures cover the entire palate. This can cause loss or alteration of taste. Foods become bland. The gum tissue and bone also deteriorate in the upper jaw and often messy dental adhesives are also used.
Old Fashioned dentures accelerate the loss of gum tissue and bone in the jaws.
Removable partial dentures are used when there are several remaining teeth. The partial denture uses metal clasps to grab onto teeth for support and retention. This can cause excessive forces on the remaining teeth. These forces can cause the teeth to become loose and eventually fall out. Also, the metal clasps used in partial dentures are very unattractive.
While both dentures and partial dentures look like teeth, they do not act or function like real teeth. Neither dentures nor partials preserve bone levels. The biting forces of dentures and partial dentures are tremendously reduced when compared to natural teeth. A normal person with teeth can generate forces of 150 to 250 pounds per square inch (psi). The maximum force a person missing all their teeth is reduced to less than 50 psi. For patients wearing dentures longer than 15 years, the chewing forces are reduced to 6 psi.
Dental Implants offer A Better Solution
With dental implants patients no longer need to suffer with uncomfortable, bulky plastic teeth. Americans are living longer than ever before. Therefore, there is an increased chance of losing teeth to decay, trauma, gum disease, and cracked teeth. Thus, the need to replace missing teeth has grown.
Dental implants are the only permanent teeth replacement options that look and are very functional, just like natural teeth. Dental implants offer the same biting forces as natural teeth. Dental implants are the longest lasting and most advanced way to replace missing teeth. They are fused with the jawbone and do not come out. Whereas dentures must come out at night and after meals. Dentures are unstable and rub on the gum tissue, causing ulcers. Dentures can fall out while patients are talking, laughing, or eating.
Summary
Dentistry is rapidly advancing in technology and procedures. However, old-fashioned denture techniques have remained the same. Dentures are bulky plastic prostheses that rest on the gum tissue. The dentures are free to move about the mouth and cause problems. With the age of implant dentistry being upon us, patients are wanting tooth replacement options that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. Dental implants provide this demand because dental implants are designed to mimic nature. Dental implants stimulate and preserve bone levels. Patients have increased self-esteem and confidence with permanent dental implants.
Dental implants are designed to last the lifetime of the patient. One brushes and flosses a dental implant just like a natural tooth. Dental implants allow patients to re-establish their smile if natural teeth have been lost. Dental implants are extremely cosmetic.
Patients’ quality of life is dramatically reduced when wearing old-fashioned dentures. Old-fashioned dentures simply rest on the gum tissue. The underlying bone is not stimulated, and the bone disappears. This bone loss causes an increasingly poor fit of the denture. Most patients in dentures are forced to have a soft food diet as their dentures are not secure enough to eat food with texture.
Dental Implants vs. Dentures – A Better Way to Replace Missing Teeth
When it comes to replacing missing teeth, many patients in Pasadena, TX ask whether they should choose dental implants or traditional dentures. Both options restore appearance and function, but they differ significantly in comfort, stability, and long-term benefits.
Traditional dentures are removable appliances that rest on the gums. While affordable, they can slip, cause sore spots, and may lead to bone loss in the jaw over time due to lack of stimulation.
Dental implants, however, are permanently placed in the jawbone, mimicking natural tooth roots. They provide superior chewing strength, prevent bone loss, and support facial structure. Implants also eliminate the need for messy adhesives and allow patients to speak and eat with confidence.
At our Pasadena dental office, Dr. Michael Nugent helps patients explore their options and guides them toward the most stable, long-lasting solution for their unique needs. If you’re tired of loose dentures or want a more natural-feeling replacement, dental implants may be the answer.
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