Dentures
Least expensive way to replace all your missing teeth. Problem is, a denture is basically a suction cup with teeth attached to it. They move around when you try to eat. You can no longer eat the foods you want to eat, you have to eat the foods you can eat. This means you are eating soft foods which are easier to chew and digest. You normally have to use adhesive with dentures to try to at least get a decent fit. It is also recommended to take your denture out at night while you sleep. The other problem is that without teeth, your bone shrinks, so over time, your denture fits less and less tight.
Implant Retained Denture
you can have 2-4 implants placed and make an implant retained denture (referred to as an overdenture). Overdentures are tight. They are held in by implants and the gum tissue. You can eat most foods with overdentures. The denture can be removed, so you can brush your implants to keep them clean and free of infection.
All-On-4 System
If you do not want something removable, this may be an option for you. 4-6 implants are placed and a bridge is made which screws onto the implants (as seen on Clear Choice commercials) The bridge functions and feels more like your natural teeth than a denture. The problems with this system are that the surgery is long and evasive. Plus the bridge is hard to clean under. If the implants are not cleaned well on a daily basis they will fail. There is also disagreement on maintenance. Some dental schools recommend removing the every 1-2 years to check the implants and replacing the screws which hold the bridge in place. Other schools recommend only removing the bridge if there seems to be a problem with the implants. Because of this, maintenance can be expensive. Due to the evasive surgery needed for all-on-4’s we do not do the surgery at our office, we do it at an oral surgery office.
Conus Abutment System
This is a new restorative system for missing all your teeth. If you do not want a removable denture, this may be another option for you. Special attachments are made which fit into the implants. A hybrid bridge (something held in by implants only) is made instead of a denture similar to the all-on-4. The bridge is held in by friction rather than by screws. Because of this, the patient can remove the bridge using a dental tool and clean the implants and bridge which lessens the chance of the implants failing. Advantages over the all-on-4 are: easier for the patient to maintain, low maintenance costs, the surgery is much less invasive, plus the overall cost is lower. Advanced Family Dentistry is one of the only dental offices in the Austin area offering this service.
Common Dental Implant Questions