Anyone who has lost all of their teeth, or is on their way to losing them, has several options to choose from. Here we’ll cover the different options for replacing teeth as well as the pros and cons of each.
Dentures
Using dentures to replace missing teeth has been an option for millennia. A well-made denture may still feel bulky in the mouth and not restore the full function of natural teeth, especially when it comes to chewing. Additionally, the longer the jawbone has no teeth, the more the bone will start disappearing in a process called resorption. Despite this, for some people this is the right solution due to budget constraints or personal preference.
Snap-On Dentures
These are removable but more secure in the mouth since they snap onto dental implants. They feel less bulky than regular dentures, but are still bulkier than All-on-4. Over time, patients find that the attachments to the implants can wear out due to the constant removal and placement.
All-on-4
A denture fixed permanently onto 4 implants has become one of the most popular ways of replacing a whole row of teeth. It can look and feel almost indistinguishable from natural teeth. An added benefit is that patients can often walk out of the office with a denture already in place, unlike with snap-ons.
Dental Implants and Bridges
With this method, multiple dental implants are placed strategically across the jaw and topped with dental bridges. Since more implants are placed than with All-on-4, the dental prostheses gets more support and feels the most natural. However, this comes with a large increase in cost. Ultimately the choice of treatment is up to the patient.