You may have heard the term “edentulous”, a term that describes someone that has no teeth. Incredibly, more than 35 million Americans do not have any teeth. Despite advances in dentistry, this number is expected to grow in the next two decades along with an aging baby boomer generation. Tooth loss commonly results from decay and gum disease.
Up until now, the only option for edentulous patients has been dentures. Their history is a long one. Scientists have found evidence of early dentures, dating back to 700 BC in present-day northern Italy, made of human and animal teeth. Over the years, the materials changed, but the inconvenience of ill-fitting dentures did not.
While dentures are extremely common, most patients find them uncomfortable and awkward. They can make daily tasks most of us take for granted, like talking and eating, difficult.
Presently, dental implants are rapidly becoming the standard of care. The biggest difference in the patient’s experience is that dental implants look and function just like their natural teeth. Most dental implant patients even report not being able to feel a difference! They do not slip or move inside the mouth as dentures are prone to do. Dental implants will generally last longer, as well. This is an important point to consider when comparing costs. While implants are more expensive, they usually last a lifetime. Dentures, on the other hand, can wear down and require replacement.
For patients looking for a more affordable replacement option, with the increased stability of implants, they may want to consider implant-supported dentures. Unlike traditional dentures, which rely on suction, implant-supported dentures are secured by dental implants. Regardless of which route an edentulous patient takes, it is clear that benefits of implants far outweigh those of dentures and will pave the way for a new era in tooth replacement.
If you are interested in exploring dental implants as a replacement for your own dentures, give our office a call to reserve a consultation today!