At Classic Dental Smiles, we strive to restore our patients’ smiles, giving them back complete function of their teeth. Tooth decay, gum disease, aging, and past injuries can cause you to require dentures. This is where the big decision comes in. Which kind of dentures will better suit your daily needs: implant-retained or traditional? Rancho Bernardo, CA dentist Dr. Brain Chan explains the real difference between the two options and helps you decide which is best for you.

Schedule your appointment with Dr. Chan today in Rancho Bernardo, CA to discuss your tooth replacement options. Dentures restore oral function and the appearance of your smile. Call 858-485-6781.

So You Need Dentures…

Gum disease and tooth decay can diminish the health of your teeth, causing them to loosen and fall out. Partial and full dentures restore more than just the appearance of your smile. They help you chew more efficiently and re-establish your bite. Missing teeth can cause problems when you communicate with others, as well as embarrass you during mealtime. Depending on the amount of missing teeth, Dr. Chan will recommend either partial or full dentures.

Missing even one tooth can cause shifting in your mouth, resulting in dramatic changes in oral function and alignment. Partial dentures are the perfect solution for patients who still have a few healthy teeth. Full dentures effectively replace entire arches of teeth.

Each set of dentures, whether implant-based or traditional, are uniquely created. Dr. Chan ensures that your dentures will blend with your smile and provide natural looking prosthetic teeth. Dentures are a cost-effective solution for multiple missing teeth.

Traditional Dentures

For many years, the only option was traditional dentures. These removable sets of prosthetic teeth filled in toothless grins and gave patients more freedom at mealtimes. However, they can cause mouth sores due to shifting and friction against the gums. Along with that, traditional dentures have the potential to fall out when you’re speaking or eating. Because they sit on the surface of your gums, traditional dentures often lead to bone deterioration. The lack of tooth roots signals your brain to stop sending important minerals to your jaw bone, potentially leading to facial collapse and changes in the appearance of your facial structure. There’s no surgery required with traditional dentures. Patients are often attracted to the ease of having traditional dentures because they allow for a quicker, more affordable restorative option.

Implant-Retained Dentures

Unlike with traditional dentures, implant-retained dentures require surgery. Dr. Chan will determine if you’re fit to undergo a surgical procedure before moving forward with this replacement option. Dental implants are placed into your healthy jawbone, to provide a durable base for your prosthetic teeth. Before the application of your dentures, you will recover from your implant surgery for about three to six months. Once the implants have fully integrated with your surrounding tissues and bone, Dr. Chan will attach your removable or fixed dentures to the implants.

Traditional dentures are solely removable, however with implant-retained dentures, you have the option of removable or permanently fixed prosthetic teeth. Implants depend on your healthy jawbone for support; therefore you won’t experience facial structure changes with this restorative option.

Many patients choose implant-retained dentures because they provide extra stability for dentures and reduce slipping and shifting. They will not fall out during mealtime or when you’re talking. They also let you enjoy foods that may have been impossible with conventional dentures.

When deciding which type of dentures best fits your unique needs, you need to keep in mind the health of your mouth and jawbone, the number of healthy teeth you have, and which option is best for your lifestyle. Dr. Chan has years of experience and can help you make this important decision.

Schedule your appointment today with Rancho Bernardo, CA dentist Dr. Chan to begin your smile restoration. Call 858-485-6781.