What are the traditional methods of tooth replacement?

1. Tooth Supported Bridges

2. Removable Partial Denture

3. Removable Complete Denture

1. Tooth Supported Bridges

             Upper Front Tooth Bridge                                                              Lower Back Tooth Bridge

Problems with Tooth Supported Bridges:

Tooth supported bridges have to borrow strength from adjacent teeth and can compromise those anchor teeth.                                                                                                     

The Success of Single Crown on one tooth is 92 % at 10 years. Unfortunately, the success of a bridge is much less at 65 to 75 % at 10 years.
                                                 

Upper Front Tooth Bridge with Bone Loss This Creates an Ugly Depression that is difficult to clean.

See how tooth bridge problems can be fixed with dental implants.

2. Removable Partial Dentures

  

A partial is a removable appliance that replaces some of the teeth in the mouth. A partial is basically an acrylic appliance with metal clasps that snap onto teeth.

The major problem with a removable partial denture is that it actually accelerates the bone loss process. When you bite down on food, the partial moves. This slippage wears on the tissue under the partial and also decreases grinding ability.  It's no wonder that a partial can be uncomfortable and is often downright painful.

If the partial isn't relined regularly to compensate for the bone that melts away, what happens to the teeth to which the partial is clasped?  What happens to a fence post when it's pushed around?  It gets loose!  Teeth supporting a partial denture are lost this way every year. Another major cause of tooth loss to teeth anchoring the partial, is tooth decay.  A partial can be a slow way to lose more teeth.

As teeth are lost, new false teeth must be added to the old partial or a new partial must be made. The pressure from the partial clasps shifts to different teeth, which become compromised.  This process of tooth loss can continue as long as the partial is anchored to teeth.  Dental implants can anchor partials solidly in place. This takes the stress off teeth. Implants are not susceptible to tooth decay like teeth. Dental implants can solve many problems with removable partials.

Problems with Removable Partial Dentures:

Tooth supported partial dentures have to borrow strength from adjacent teeth and can compromise those anchor teeth. The can accelerate tooth loss.

Anything removable, whether it is a partial or a full denture actually accelerates the bone loss process.

Denture Adhesive Warning!
Did you know several dentures adhesives have been pulled from the market. Zinc is an ingredient in Denture Adhesives. Zinc poisoning from denture creams has the potential to become a major public health disaster excess zinc can lead to unexplained weakness, numbness, loss of sensation or other nerve symptoms."

See how removable partial problems can be fixed with dental implants.

3. Complete Set of Removable Dentures (Full Dentures)

Complete or Full Dentures are also called a "Plate."

When you wear a denture, you are really wearing a prosthesis designed to replace three missing body parts - the bone and gum that melt away as well as the missing teeth.  In other words, a denture is intended to replace mouth and facial structures that have collapsed.

The best dentures in the world chew less than 25% as efficiently as natural teeth. With dental implants chewing function can be improved dramatically!

Even more than partials, full dentures accelerate bone deterioration.  Your bone will melt away quicker and your facial structures will collapse faster if you wear a denture. So, in order to have some level of function, you sacrifice your facial structures.   Eventually denture adhesives (link to warning) become necessary.

Eating with dentures can be difficult.  Your mouth moves in an unnatural manner, the taste of food is affected, chewing certain foods is a challenge.  And there are often health problems related to malnutrition and the inability to properly digest foods.

Upper Denture:

The only way for an upper denture to stay in is with suction.  In order to create suction, the edge of the denture has to extend all the way to the back of the roof of the mouth to the soft palate.  A lot of people have a gag problem with their first denture. Dental implants can help denture patients overcome the above problems.

                                                                           

Lower Complete Denture  
The tongue is a powerful muscle that can dislodge the lower denture. The denture may actually fit well but be easily loosened by the tongue. In other words, there is nothing keeping the denture from being pushed around. Implants can anchor dentures solidly in place. If the bone in the lower jaw deteriorates to the point where the nerve rests right below the gum tissue, the denture can't be worn anymore. The pain can be excruciating, especially when biting.






"Painful" Denture Sore

Problems with Removable Dentures:

1. Anything removable, whether it is a partial or a full denture actually accelerates the bone loss process.

2. Denture Adhesive Warning!
Did you know several dentures adhesives have been pulled from the market. Zinc is an ingredient in Denture Adhesives. Zinc poisoning from denture creams has the potential to become a major public health disaster excess zinc can lead to unexplained weakness, numbness, loss of sensation or other nerve symptoms." ABC News Video