All-on-4® vs. Dental Bridges vs. Traditional Dentures
Nowadays, people looking to replace missing teeth can choose between options like All-on-4®, bridges and traditional dentures. A few years ago, dentures were the most common option for replacing several missing teeth. This article compares teeth replacement options and why you should choose All-on-4 implant dentures.
Overview of traditional dentures
Dentures have seen significant improvements over the years, especially in terms of aesthetic appeal and personalization options. Dentures are fabricated from porcelain, to imitate the appearance of natural teeth, and semi-soft acrylics, to mimic the look of gingival tissue. The prosthetics rest directly on the gums, supported by the arch of the jaw, and are removable for cleaning and when sleeping.
One of the major drawbacks of dentures is that they depend on the gums for support. The gum tissues are not meant to handle the pressure induced by dentures and therefore, can cause discomfort to the wearer. Dentures can also slip out of their position or fall out when talking and eating. This can cause embarrassment, and the movement of dentures in the mouth can cause sores, which can be painful.
Dental bridges
A dental bridge gets support from the existing healthy teeth near the gap to form a bridge. In the more conventional types of dental bridges, the two teeth on either side of a gap are filed down to support a bridge. A crown is placed over the teeth, along with the bridge to replace the lost teeth.
In areas of the mouth where there is less force or one tooth is lost, dentists can use a winged bridge (called Maryland bridge) that is fixed into the nearby teeth, instead of the one that covers them completely. Sometimes, there may be no teeth on either side of the gap. The treatment approach here would be to use a cantilevered bridge. This bridge option is connected to a single tooth on one side, and the bridge prosthesis rests on the gap.
All-on-4
Traditional dentures and bridges may have improved remarkably in their design over the years, but they still have limitations. Since they rest over the gums and are detachable, they are not as sturdy as dentures supported by dental implants. All-on-4 is a dental implant restoration that entails embedding small titanium posts inside the jaw. The titanium posts support the prosthetic teeth by acting as an anchor.
With the All-on-4 option, the dentist will place four dental implants strategically in different positions along the jaw, and these implants can support a complete set of teeth. This option removes the issue with denture movement and helps preserve bone mass by preventing jaw atrophy. This means that patients can have proper oral function and maintain the structure of their jaw, while not having to visit the dentist constantly for denture relining and adjustments. Also, because implants are sturdy and reliable, patients can feel more confident in their new smile.
In conclusion
If you are unsure of which to choose from the tooth replacement options, you should schedule an appointment with the dentist. During the meeting, the dental professional can determine if All-on-4 is suitable for you.
Request an appointment here: https://www.brightdentalcare.net or call Bright Dental Care at (626) 709-4776 for an appointment in our La Puente office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: All-on-4 Dental Implants in La Puente, CA.
Related Posts
Getting dental implants is an important choice in your goals for good oral health. This treatment is also a great way to restore your smile and feel good about your appearance again. If you compare implants to other tooth-replacement options, you will see the differences and benefits that implants offer. The process of getting implants…
When a patient has dental implants, follow-up visits are important. Many patients need to have replacement teeth for a variety of reasons. You may have gotten them because you lost several teeth due to a traumatic accident, or you may have been on medication that caused your teeth to deteriorate. Regardless of how you lost your…
If you wear dentures, you understand how important of a role they play in your life. Not only do dentures make eating easier, but dentures will help you with speaking and to tackle all your day-to-day activities. Your dentures are a part of you, so it is no wonder why you may feel a surge…
A root canal removes the interior living tissues of a tooth in order to combat infection or address damage. While it is not a dentist’s first choice, it can be necessary when no other options will save the tooth. If you are scheduled for a root canal, you may have heard that this procedure causes…