If you've lost a number of teeth to decay, it's unlikely those which remain are in the best health. Restoration may be possible for these remaining teeth (filling cavities, adding dental crowns), but it will be both time-consuming and expensive. And then the missing teeth must be replaced. The logistics of constructing a functional and comfortable partial denture with the required number of prosthetic teeth in the correct location can be very complicated. It's often more efficient to start from scratch.

Dental Extraction

Starting from scratch involves the extraction of your remaining natural teeth. When they're already in a state of deterioration, this is often the most practical option. But now you're experiencing edentulism, which is the formal name for toothlessness. Dentures are the most appropriate way to replace an entire upper or lower set of teeth at once. But not all dentures are equal.

Conventional Dentures

Conventional dentures rest against the floor or roof of your mouth. The denture plates are made to match the outline of your mouth's floor or roof, and a small amount of moisture (from your saliva) creates suction. Because these dentures are not anchored in your jaw, they lack the bite pressure of natural teeth or dental implants. But your natural teeth are gone, and isn't it going to be incredibly expensive and invasive to replace each tooth with a dental implant?

Dental Implants

Dental implants involve a small metal rod being placed in your jaw so it becomes like an artificial tooth root. A prosthetic tooth is then attached to the implant. Each implant requires minor dental surgery, with the tooth added at a later stage. It's unworkable to attempt this for each tooth that must be replaced. Implant dentures simplify the principle. 

Implant Dentures

Implant dentures only need a small number of implants to be placed in your jaw. Instead of 16 implants in an upper or lower jaw (one for each tooth), you only need (on average) four implants to support a fixed or removable denture. A fixed (permanently attached) denture is generally preferable, as it's more secure and results in the most natural look and feel. The four implants are placed during the same session, and the denture is then immediately attached. 

Implant dentures are a surprisingly straightforward method for replacing an entire or lower set of teeth. And when your natural teeth have already been largely lost, with those remaining in an advanced state of decay, extraction followed by implant dentures can be the quickest and most effective way to restore your smile.

Reach out to a service like Kurrajong Denture Clinic to learn more.