Dentures Vs Dental Implants - Kennewick, WA
Consider the Options for Restoring Your Missing Smile
Choose the Best Solution for Your Smile
If you’re among the more than 178 million Americans who is missing at least one tooth, you’ve likely experienced embarrassment and daily challenges. In the not so distant past, people who lost a tooth or multiple teeth had to settle for fixed dental bridges or conventional dentures. If you’re struggling with missing teeth or the downsides of conventional dentures, the good news is you have far more options today. Dental implants are made of titanium, a biocompatible material that fuses with underlying bone over the course of several months. Once they integrate with your jawbone, dental implants function like the roots of biological teeth to provide strong support for replacement crowns. Dental implants are the most versatile tooth replacement because they can be used to replace a single tooth, multiple teeth or a full arch lost to trauma, decay or gum disease. From single implants to removable and fixed implant supported dentures, our implant dentist Dr. Alkanan provides a wide range of dental implants in Kennewick, WA that will restore your smile, health and quality of life!
Comparing Fixed Teeth Vs. Removable
In general, the two options for replacing missing teeth are fixed and removable. Although dentures may seem like a cost-effective and quick solution to remedy tooth loss, they come with downsides. Dentures can fall out, click or slip and require messy adhesive and removal for cleaning. Gum tissue irritation and trouble eating and speaking are common issues experienced by conventional denture wearers. Because dentures sit on top of your gums, they don’t stimulate the underlying bone. Bone loss progresses unchecked and can lead to the characteristic “sunken-in” look many people associate with dentures. Implants for dentures are an upgrade that eliminate many of these issues. Removable implant supported dentures in Kennewick, WA stabilized by two or more dental implants can restore 60% of dental function. Implant supported dentures can also be designed as a fixed prosthesis that is only removable by a dental professional. If you’re looking for permanent dentures, the latter is your best option.
Full mouth dental implants in Kennewick, WA consist of a fixed prosthetic bridge of teeth permanently supported by four to eight dental implants. Unlike dentures, full mouth dental implants stimulate bone growth and prevent undesirable changes to your facial structure. In addition to looking and functioning like natural teeth, full mouth dental implants are designed to be long lasting. They’re more comfortable and stable than conventional dentures, thereby restoring over 98% of function and enabling you to eat all the foods you love.
Traditional Dentures
- Made from acrylic (plastic)
- Offers minimal support
- Will need relines and repairs
- Often loosens or falls out
- Does not halt jawbone loss
- Must be removed to clean
- May be bulky or ill-fitting
- Low-cost treatment option
- Qualifies for dental financing
Implant Supported Dentures
- Made from acrylic or porcelain
- Support from 2+ implants
- May need relines or repairs
- Won’t slip, loosen, or fall out
- Greater stability for eating
- Removable for easy cleaning
- Improves jawbone health
- May not look or feel natural
- Moderate treatment cost
- Qualifies for dental financing
Full Arch Fixed Teeth
- Designed from block of zirconia
- Fixed to 4-8 implants
- Comparable to natural teeth
- Restores over 98% function
- Promotes healthy jawbone
- Resistant to bacteria and decay
- Fracture- and chip-resistant
- Improves oral and overall health
- Cared for like natural teeth
- No additional maintenance
- Highest treatment cost
- Qualifies for dental financing
Experience Matters with Dental Implants
When making the decision to get dental implants to replace missing teeth, it’s important to choose a professional with years of advanced training, in-depth knowledge of oral structures and extensive restorative expertise. Our implant dentist Dr. Alkanan received advanced training, participates in continuing education specific to dental implant techniques and has vast expertise placing dental implants in Kennewick, WA. You’ll also benefit from our state-of-the-art technologies, including dental implant surgery guided by precision digital software. With personalized treatments at Tri-Cities Periodontics and Implants, we customize a tooth replacement solution that precisely fits your smile goals, oral health needs and budget. Our treatment process is straightforward and efficient. The first step is a personalized consultation and evaluation by Dr. Alkanan in Kennewick, WA. While most patients who come to us are ideal candidates for full mouth dental implants, bone loss or gum disease require preliminary treatments to enable receiving dental implants. You’ll walk out of our office with a clear understanding of all the steps involved in your smile journey—from the cost of care—to clinical information specific to your unique smile restoration.
On the day of your implant placement, we offer several anesthesia options for your ultimate comfort. Dr. Alkanan may be able to extract remaining teeth and perform bone grafting during this same appointment. Small incisions are made in your gums, then the required number of implants are placed underneath your gums in preplanned sites in your jawbone. At Tri-Cities Periodontics and Implants, we use a top-rated guidance system that ensures each implant is placed at the exact angle, depth and location in your jaw with the densest bone for optimal long-term function. During this visit, we’ll provide you with a temporary set of teeth that look and feel natural so you won’t have to suffer another day with a missing smile. After your implants fuse with your jawbone over a period of three to four months, you’ll return to our office to receive your final customized restoration.
Invest in a Long-Term Dream Smile
Although they come with a higher upfront cost, dental implants are a cost-effective treatment when you consider they can provide decades or even a lifetime of oral health and happiness, with proper care. The cost of dental implants is based on necessary preliminary treatments and your customized treatment plan. Fixed full mouth dental implants cost more than removable implant supported dentures. Although most insurance companies don’t provide coverage for dental implants, some may partially pay for the crown component. At Tri-Cities Periodontics and Implants, we want everyone to enjoy the life-changing benefits of dental implants, so we offer top-rated third-party financing to make them more affordable.
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