West Hollywood Dentist

One of the Most Trusted Holistic Dentists in Los Angeles, CA

7865 Santa Monica Blvd West Hollywood, CA 90046
(323) 654-2840

With A quarter century experience in dentistry, West Hollywood Holistic and Cosmetic Dentistry offers most dental treatments in one office. Call us today to schedule your free dental consultation.

Overdentures vs Implants

Overdentures vs Implants

Implants are the replacement for lost teeth that are anchored into your jawbone. They allow you to have a healthy smile once again and can even improve your health and quality of life! On the other hand, overdentures are just false sets of teeth that slide over the top of your gums. Overdentures may seem like an easy fix when you need one or two missing teeth, if only because they can be removed at any time, but there’s more to it than meets the eye.

The difference between overdentures and implants

Implants

Implants are a permanent solution for missing teeth. They are surgically implanted into your jawbone, providing you with a more natural look and feel of the mouth than an overdenture would. Implants also replace missing teeth and anchor the surrounding teeth to help them from shifting out of place. Implants can even improve overall oral health and quality of life by decreasing the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and other dental conditions that can lead to serious health problems.

Overdentures

Overdentures are simply false sets of teeth that cover your gums to augment your smile. Overdentures can also be referred to as implants without an implant. These removable prosthetics are made up of a framework and a plate. The framework is placed against the gum tissue and can be made from metal, plastic, or porcelain, while the plate is attached to the framework and fits over your gums to replace lost teeth. Overdentures will not provide any support or protection to surrounding teeth as an implant would. Still, they are easier to remove than implants which can come in handy if you’re away from home.

Which option is best for you?

Determining the best way to replace missing teeth requires careful thought and evaluation of multiple factors. It can include the reason you are missing teeth, the health of your jawbone, and your oral habits. The decision to have implants or an overdenture should never be based solely on cost but on what is best for your health and quality of life. If you’re missing one or more teeth, discuss your options with a dental professional before making a final decision.

What to consider before deciding on either option

1. How many teeth are missing

If you’re missing all of your teeth, implants may be the best option for replacing them. Overdentures can sometimes work in certain situations if you miss multiple teeth and only need a couple to look your best.

2. Poor bone structure

If your bone structure is weaker than usual due to poor oral health or genetics, it can cause the implant to fail. If the bone quality is low, implants may not be the appropriate solution.

3. Your oral habits

Overdentures are removable and can be taken out when you need to eat or even away from home for extended periods. It is a critical aspect of having implants, as removing them can be very difficult, even with a unique tool, and sometimes requires drilling on the bone to remove them.

4. Your health

Implants can be a more permanent solution to your problem; they don’t require any special care or maintenance and have been shown to improve oral health.

5. Cost of implants vs. overdentures

Cost is the most critical factor in the decision-making process. However, it doesn’t always make the best choice for everyone. You must consider what will be best for your oral health, quality of life, and financial stability for at least six months after surgery if you are considering implants.

Benefits that Implants Have over Overdentures

1. Restoring the bone structure

Implants can stimulate bone growth when the jawbone is healthy and stable. On the other hand, overdentures are often not anchored to the jawbone and cannot provide any support or protection for the surrounding teeth.

2. Objective vs. subjective improvement

Implants often have immediate results that can be seen right away instead of overdentures, which may create a false sense of security that an overdenture can do just as good as an implant. Over time, an overdenture may deteriorate, while implants will last forever.

3. Improve overall health

Research has shown that implants can improve overall health and quality of life by decreasing the risk of gum disease, tooth decay, and other dental conditions that can lead to serious health problems and even death.

4. More natural look and feel

Implants create a more realistic and natural look than Overdentures because they are anchored into the jawbone providing a more stable anchor for the teeth to attach.

5. Improving veneers or tooth whitening

Some patients who cannot obtain complete dentures because of their thin or weak jaws may be able to improve their dental appearance by having implant dentures or a combination of implants and veneers fused. In comparison, overdentures cannot be used in conjunction with teeth whitening as the tooth structure is not stabilized, and a false impression is created for your natural teeth.

Determining the best way to replace missing teeth can be complex and confusing. Patients have to be diligent in their efforts to protect their oral health and overall well-being while considering the different options they may have available to them.

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