All-On-4 Dental Implants Vs Dentures

Tooth Replacement Options

Maintaining good oral health and arranging a regular dental visit can help keep your natural teeth healthy and prevent tooth loss.

Nobody likes to deal with dental problems or lost teeth. However, various factors may compromise the health of your natural teeth and lead to tooth loss, such as tooth decay, cavities, injuries, gum disease, or even natural wear and tear of the teeth.

Because missing teeth can negatively impact your dental health, the beauty of your smile, and your confidence they need to be replaced as soon as possible.

Consequences of Missing Teeth

If you have lost one or multiple teeth, you might be dealing with teeth misalignment, shifting of other teeth into empty areas, having trouble chewing foods, or feeling self-conscious about your smile.

What Are My Options?

Regardless of why you have lost your teeth and what challenges it is causing you, there are several options to replace them and improve the appearance of your smile.

Your dentist will assess the health of your jawbone, teeth, and gums and determine whether you are a suitable candidate for each tooth replacement option.

  • Dental implants
  • Complete/full dentures
  • Partial dentures
  • Tooth-supported bridges
  • Implant-supported dentures (all-on-4 implants)

Review your treatment options with your dentist and gain enough information about each option’s advantages and disadvantages to find the best solution for your compromised smile.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are removable artificial teeth that are used for replacing missing teeth. These removable dentures consist of a gum-coloured base and prosthetic teeth attached to the base.

Dentures should fit properly to be able to function correctly.

Dentures are custom-designed, will fit your mouth, and are typically made from durable and strong materials like acrylic resin. Dentures are not fixed appliances and can be taken out whenever required.

Denture wearers will experience an improved appearance and a more comfortable eating and chewing experience.

Two Types Of Dentures

Your dentist will decide whether full dentures are the best treatment option for your broken smile or partial dentures based on your requirements.

Full Dentures

You will need a full denture or complete denture if you have lost all your teeth on the upper or lower jaw. Your lower and upper denture will rest on the gum tissue. Your full denture will replace your upper and lower sets of teeth and offer you a new appearance.

Conventional Dentures: Conventional dentures are made within 8 to 12 weeks after tooth extraction. If you still have some teeth left in your mouth, your dentist will have to remove the remaining teeth to make space for your dentures. Your gum tissues require healing before the placement of conventional removable dentures. Typically, your gums and bone need about 8 to 12 months to reach a stable shape after your teeth are lost or removed.

Your dentist and laboratory technicians will then begin making your dentures based on a series of impressions taken from your oral tissues. These moulds and impressions are necessary for a proper fit and bite. These prosthetic teeth will be made to have the closest look to your natural teeth. After the denture is ready, patients need to visit the dental clinic from time to time to see if any additional adjustment is required.

The process takes longer than immediate dentures, and the patient must wait several months to receive their false teeth. However, your removable dentures can last several years if made accurately and properly.

Immediate Dentures: Immediate dentures are less time-consuming than conventional ones and are crafted quickly. They will be placed in your mouth immediately after your teeth are extracted. While immediate dentures are also custom-made, they won’t usually offer the proper fit as conventional dentures will. An immediate denture means patients will not have to go without teeth for several months.

Partial Dentures

Dentists will usually use this replacement teeth option if patients have one or a few missing teeth in their mouth. These removable dentures are there to fill out the gaps created by a missing tooth.

In a partial denture, replacement teeth will be attached to a gum-coloured plastic base. The plastic base is typically connected by a metal framework.

Your partial denture will attach to your natural teeth with metal clasps or precision attachments. Precision attachments usually cost more than metal clasps but are almost invisible.

What Are All-On-4 Dental Implants?

Are dentures my only option?

Well, No. There are other treatments your dentist can offer based on your dental and overall health and the budget you can afford.

All-on-four implants can also be used to replace missing or damaged teeth and improve your dental health and self-confidence.

“All-on-4 dental implants” is another attractive option with a high success rate your implant dentist can suggest as a tooth replacement option. All-on-4 dental implant is probably the best solution for those who have lost many teeth in their mouth but have enough bone mass in their jaw bone and are looking for a permanent solution for their lost teeth.

All-on-four implants will replace your upper and lower set of teeth with only four implants. Four titanium implants provide a rock-solid anchor for a full set of permanent prosthetic teeth. This type of implant treatment can be performed on both the upper and lower jaw.

Compared to traditional implants, all-on-4 dental implants in Brisbane need fewer implants.

Patients who have experienced bone loss are not considered suitable candidates for traditional implants and need a bone graft. All-on-4 dental implants, however, will not typically need bone grafting surgery.

Bone grafting is a costly surgical procedure performed to widen the patient’s jawbone so it can support dental implants properly.

During all-on-4 implant surgery, your implant dentist can avoid the areas with reduced bone density due to the 45° angulated implant.

All-On-4 Dental Implants Vs Dentures

All-On-4 Implants Or Dentures?

Consider every aspect of each treatment to be able to go for the right choice.

  • “All-on-4 dental implant” will be a reliable option if you want a permanent solution to replace your lost teeth. Dental implants will be permanently attached to your mouth, reducing the risk of movement or slippage. Dentures may be unstable and loose and must be secured with dental paste.
  • You can brush and clean all-on-4 dental implants just as you clean your real teeth. Dentures are removable and must be taken out to be cleaned.
  • During all-on-4 dental implant procedures, implants will be surgically inserted into your gums and jaw. Dentures require no dental surgery.
  • Denture wearers may have to avoid certain foods while an all-on-4 dental implant lets you bite and chew comfortably.
  • Dentures may cause bone loss, while all-on-4 dental implants prevent bone deterioration.
  • Dentures will cost less than AO4 dental implants.

Dentures have seen a vast improvement since their invention. Still, the many benefits of AO4 implants have made them more popular than dentures.

Here is a quick comparison of AO4 and removable dentures.

All On 4 Dental Implants Removable Dentures
Natural feel and fit Not feel like real teeth
A lifelong investment on your smile Need readjusting, and repair after a while
Eat, chew, and bite anything you like Have to avoid certain foods
Preserves bone quality Causes bone loss and deterioration over time
Won’t shift, move, or fall May slip or fall
Are surgically secured in place Need dental paste and are not stable
Brush and clean them like natural teeth Have to be removed to be cleaned