Dentures
Traditional and Implant-Supported Dentures Offer Functionality, Aesthetics, and Stability
Dr. Couvelis offers traditional and implant-supported dentures at his Chicago dental office, as well as general denture maintenance and repair. Dr. Couvelis and his experienced staff can help you choose the option that will best meet your needs.
Both traditional and implant-supported dentures are excellent options to replace a significant number of severely damaged or missing teeth, restoring your oral health and your smile’s appearance.
Traditional vs. Implant-Supported Dentures
Traditional Dentures
Traditional partial and full dentures are removable prosthetics that can be customized to comfortably fit in your mouth, providing you with the ability to chew and speak normally and to improve the appearance of your smile. Traditional dentures are held in place with natural suction and a special adhesive. Partial dentures may be held in place by a connective piece of plastic or metal affixed to the surrounding teeth.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures offer patients missing a significant number of teeth a permanent restorative solution. Dental implants replace the entire structure of a missing tooth from the root to the crown. Implants consist of titanium posts that are surgically placed in the jaw. Over the course of three to six months, these implant posts will fuse with the jawbone in a process called osseointegration.
Once you have completely healed, your permanent denture can be affixed to your implants. Most patients requiring full dentures will need six to eight implants in their upper or lower jaw. Some patients may qualify for All-on-4® implants, which can support a full denture with just four implant posts.
Which Dentures Option is Best for Me?
Traditional Dentures
If you are missing a large number of teeth, or if you have several teeth that are severely damaged and require extraction, you are likely a candidate for traditional dentures. Most patients qualify for this restorative solution, and it is an excellent alternative for patients who do not qualify for implant-supported dentures.
Implant-Supported Dentures
If you are missing a significant number of teeth, or have several severely damaged teeth that require an extraction and have adequate healthy jawbone tissue, you may be a candidate for implant-supported dentures.
Additionally, if you currently have traditional dentures but are interested in a more permanent and stable solution, Dr. Couvelis may be able to convert your traditional dentures into implant-supported dentures.
Patients desiring dental implants must have ample jawbone tissue to support the implants, be free of any other any underlying oral health conditions, be in good overall health, and quit smoking prior to treatment to expedite the healing process.
Advantages & Disadvantages of Dentures
Traditional Dentures
Traditional dentures are a more affordable treatment option than implant-supported dentures, and they offer a significantly shorter treatment period compared with implant-supported dentures, allowing you to chew and speak normally more quickly.
“Both traditional and implant-supported dentures are excellent options to replace a significant number of severely damaged or missing teeth, restoring your oral health and your smile’s appearance.”
Because traditional dentures are removable and typically rely on suction or adhesive to stay in place, they are not as stable as implant-supported dentures and may slip out of place from time to time. They also require more care than implant-supported dentures because they must be soaked in a cleansing solution on a regular basis.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures actually improve your oral health by preventing jawbone loss through the stimulation of tissue. They are a durable, stable, and permanent solution to replace missing and damaged teeth, and you can care for them just as you would care for your own teeth—by brushing and flossing every day, and receiving regular dental exams and cleanings.
The cost of implant-supported dentures is greater than the cost of traditional dentures, and the treatment process takes more time. Some patients may require additional procedures to qualify for dental implants, increasing costs and lengthening their treatment timeline.
Schedule Your Dentures Consultation
If you currently have dentures and need repairs, you want to learn more about implant-supported dentures, or you would like to switch from traditional to implant-supported dentures, Dr. Couvelis is here to help.
Contact our office today to schedule your consultation and begin the process of renewing your smile for a restored quality of life.
