Overdentures vs. Implants: Which Is Better?

Missing teeth can make everyday things like eating and talking a bit tougher, right? And smiling might not feel as natural as it used to. If you’re looking into ways to replace missing teeth, you’ve probably come across overdentures and dental implants.

But which one is better?

While overdentures are a perfect solution for many situations, both overdentures and implants have different situations where one is superior to the other.

To get a clearer picture of overdentures and implants, we will explore both and see what makes them a successful tooth replacement option, as well as what scenarios best fit each option.

Choosing the right option for your smile will depend on a variety of different factors that you can discuss with your dentist or oral surgeon.

Comparing Overdentures and Implants

Choosing between overdentures and implants involves several factors. To help you see the key differences, let’s compare them side-by-side in a few important areas.

Removability

One of the biggest differences is whether you can take them out or not.

Overdentures are removable. You can take them out of your mouth whenever you need to, like for cleaning or while you sleep.

Full dental implants, on the other hand, are fixed. Once they’re placed, they become a permanent part of your mouth, just like natural teeth. You don’t take them out.

Sustainability and Candidacy

The health of your jawbone and gums plays a vital role in determining whether you’re a good candidate for overdentures or implants. Let’s look at the key factors:

• Jawbone Density: Dental implants require sufficient jawbone to anchor into. If you have bone loss, overdentures might be a more viable option initially. However, implants can help prevent further bone loss over time.
• Overall Oral Health: Gum disease or other oral health issues may compromise the success of implants. Your dentist will determine if overdentures are a better immediate solution, with the possibility of implants once gum health has improved.
• Budget: Although the initial cost of dental implants may be higher, they offer better longevity compared to overdentures.

Overdentures can be a good fit if you’ve lost most or all of your teeth. You need to have enough bone in your jaw to support them, but it’s often an option even if you’ve had some bone loss. Plus, they can be easier on the wallet upfront.

Dental implants need a bit more support from your jawbone. Think of them like anchors for new teeth. So, you’ll need good bone density and healthy gums. Sometimes, if your jawbone isn’t quite thick enough, you might need a bone graft first. Implants can be a bigger investment, but they’re built to last.

It’s like deciding if you need a quick fix or something that will last for years. Your dentist can take a look and tell you which path makes the most sense for your situation.

Cost Comparison

Let’s talk about the dollars and cents. What can you expect to pay for each option, now and down the road? Here’s how the costs compare:

Overdentures

Generally, overdentures cost less when you first get them compared to dental implants. However, you may need to factor in the long-term costs for replacement or relining of the dentures over time. Think about it like buying something that might need replacing sooner.

Additionally, regular purchases of denture adhesives and cleaning solutions will add to the ongoing expenses associated with overdentures.

Dental Implants

Dental implants usually involve a higher upfront investment, which may include surgical procedures for placement. Despite the initial cost, implants are designed for longevity. With proper maintenance, they can last for many years, often eliminating the need for replacements. This longevity can make them a more financially viable option over the long term.

Factors Affecting Cost

Several factors influence the final price of both options, including the number of implants or teeth being replaced, the materials used, the complexity of the procedure, and your geographic location.

Maintenance and Care

How much effort does it take to keep each option in good shape?

Both overdentures and dental implants require a commitment to daily care and regular maintenance for optimal results and longevity. Let’s break down the differences in their care routines:

Overdentures

Taking care of overdentures means you’ll need to remove them every day to brush them. You also need to keep your gums and any remaining teeth clean. It’s kind of like taking out contact lenses – a regular part of your routine.

• Daily Care: Proper care for overdentures involves a dedicated cleaning routine. Overdentures must be removed and cleaned daily using specialized brushes and solutions. The supporting implants or remaining teeth also require thorough cleaning.
• Maintenance: While convenient, overdentures will require adjustments and may even need relining or replacement over time due to normal wear and tear. Regular checkups with your dentist are essential to monitor their fit and condition.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are a bit more like your natural teeth. You brush and floss them just like you always have. Regular checkups with your dentist are important for both options to make sure everything is healthy.

• Daily Care: Implants demand a similar care routine to that of your natural teeth. Brushing twice a day and flossing are crucial, and your dentist might recommend special tools for cleaning around the implants.
• Maintenance: Just like your natural teeth, regular dental checkups are crucial for examining the implants, ensuring proper cleaning, and addressing any potential issues early on.

Both options emphasize the importance of good oral hygiene habits. However, overdentures generally have a slightly more involved daily maintenance routine than dental implants. Overdentures need daily removal and cleaning, while implants become a permanent part of your mouth that you care for like your natural teeth. With the right care, dental implants can really go the distance. Overdentures might need to be replaced after some years.

Aesthetic and Functional Considerations

Beyond cost and upkeep, how well a solution restores your smile and your ability to comfortably eat are crucial factors in your decision.

How do they look and how well do they work for everyday things like talking and eating?

Overdentures can be made to look very natural and can really improve your smile. They also help you chew better than having no teeth at all, and they can make it easier to speak clearly.

Dental implants are designed to look and feel as close to your natural teeth as possible. Because they’re anchored in your jaw, they’re super stable. This means you can bite and chew with more confidence, and they won’t slip when you’re talking or laughing. It’s almost like getting your original teeth back.

So, both options can boost your smile and help with daily activities. But dental implants often offer a more natural feel and better stability for chewing and speaking.

Procedure

What’s involved in getting each type of tooth replacement?

Getting full dental implants is a more involved process. It includes surgery to place the implants into your jawbone, a healing period that can last several months, and then the final placement of your artificial teeth.

The process for overdentures can be less complex and may take less time, especially if they are supported by your natural teeth. If they are implant-supported, fewer implants are usually needed compared to a full arch of implants, which can sometimes shorten the treatment time.

Understanding Dental Implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots, or screws, made of titanium that is placed directly into the jawbone in order to replace a lost or missing tooth. Over time, the screw fuses together with the jawbone through a process called osseointegration, creating a very stable tooth support. Once the implant screw is in place, a dental crown made to look like your natural teeth are put in place, restoring your smile. Individual dental implants are great for replacing a missing tooth.

Benefits of dental implants

Dental implants offer several benefits, including:

• • Improved appearance: Dental implants look and feel like natural teeth, which can improve the appearance of your smile and facial structure.
  • Improved speech: With dental implants, you won’t have to worry about dentures slipping or sliding in your mouth, which can cause slurred speech.
  • Enhanced comfort: Since dental implants become a part of your jawbone, they provide greater stability and comfort compared to dentures.
  • Improved oral health: Unlike bridges, dental implants don’t require support from neighboring teeth. This means neighboring teeth won’t be damaged or altered during the implantation process.
  • Improved functionality: Dental implants function like natural teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with ease.
  • Long-lasting: Dental implants are a long-lasting solution to a missing tooth. With proper care, they can last a lifetime.

Potential drawbacks of dental implants

Although dental implants have many benefits, there are also potential drawbacks to consider. These drawbacks include:

• • Surgical procedure: Dental implants require a surgical procedure, which can be uncomfortable or painful for some patients.
  • Higher costs: The cost of dental implants is often higher than other tooth replacement options, such as dentures or bridges.
  • Extended treatment time: Implants require a longer treatment time than other options, as the implant must first fuse to the jawbone before a crown or other restoration can be attached.
  • Not beneficial for everyone: Dental implants may not be suitable for everyone, as certain medical conditions or habits, such as smoking, may affect the success of the procedure.

Exploring overdentures

If you have lost most or all of your teeth, the traditional option for tooth replacement was dentures or partial dentures. Unfortunately, these rely on adhesives that are often not strong enough to prevent slippage or movement of the denture during speech or chewing. Because of this, many are now choosing overdentures instead.

Overdentures are a type of dental prosthesis that fits over dental implants. Overdentures can help restore a patient’s ability to chew and speak properly while providing an aesthetically pleasing and natural-looking smile.

Overdentures can either be removable or fixed in place.

Types of overdentures

As we mentioned above, overdentures can either be removable, allowing for easier cleaning, or fixed in place, providing increased stability. Here we take a closer look at the four overdenture options available.

Implant-supported overdentures

Implant-supported overdentures involve the placement of two to six implants in the jawbone. Once in place and stable, your dental professional will attach a removable denture to the implant attachments. This option provides denture stability while still allowing you to remove the denture for more thorough cleaning.

Fixed implant-supported overdentures

Similar to standard implant-supported overdentures, these fixed overdentures are attached with implants in the jaw, typically requiring four implants. In this case, however, the overdenture is locked into place with screws and unable to be removed at home. This option is one of the most stable of the overdentures, however, cleaning can be more difficult. This is often the most expensive overdenture option.

Bar-retained implant-supported overdentures

Bar-retained implant-supported overdentures use dental implants attached together with a visible bar above the gumline. The overdenture then clips onto the bar, keeping it secure and in place. This provides additional stability yet still allows for denture removal in order to provide a thorough cleaning.

Ball-retained implant-supported overdentures

Similar to bar-retained overdentures, ball-retained implant-supported overdentures attach to the implants using ball-shaped connectors. This provides additional stability and support while still allowing for denture removal.

Benefits of overdentures

Overdentures have several benefits, including:

• • Improved stability: Overdentures are secured in place using dental implants, which provide superior stability and support. This means that the overdenture won’t move or slip around, even when eating or speaking.
  • Improved oral health: Dental implants that support overdentures can help to preserve the jawbone and prevent bone loss. This is because the implants stimulate the bone tissue, much like natural teeth.
  • Improved comfort: Overdentures are custom-made to fit your mouth perfectly, which means that they are much more comfortable than traditional dentures. Additionally, the pressure on the gums is reduced because the overdentures are supported by the implants, which means less discomfort and irritation.
  • Improved confidence: Overdentures can give you the confidence to speak, eat, and smile with ease, knowing that your teeth are secure and won’t move around. This can be especially important for people who have struggled with traditional dentures and feel self-conscious about their teeth.

Potential drawbacks of overdentures

While overdentures are a popular and effective option for tooth replacement, there are some potential drawbacks to consider. These include:

• • Cost: Implant-supported overdentures can be more expensive than traditional dentures.
  • Surgical procedure required: As with dental implants, the placement of the implants for an overdenture requires surgery. This can be uncomfortable for some patients, and there is always a risk of complications.
  • Bone requirements: Implants for overdentures require a significant amount of jawbone in order for implant success. In some cases, this may require bone grafts.
  • Time: The process of getting an overdenture can take several months, as it involves multiple stages, including surgery, healing time, and adjustments to the denture.
  • Maintenance: While overdentures are generally easier to care for than traditional dentures, they still require regular maintenance, including cleaning and adjustments as needed.
  • Not as strong as natural teeth: Overdentures are not indestructible and can become damaged or dislodged over time. It is important to follow proper care and maintenance guidelines to ensure they last as long as possible.

Overdentures vs. Implants: Which is better?

Both overdentures and implants offer effective solutions for missing teeth, so how do you decide which one is better? Oftentimes, the answer to this question lies in how many teeth you have missing. If you are missing a single tooth or even a couple, single implants are likely your best solution. However, if you are missing your entire upper or lower arch, an overdenture is going to be your best solution as it can quickly and effectively replace all your upper or lower arch in one solution.

Making the right choice

When deciding on the best missing tooth solution for you, there are a few things you should consider.

Consult with a dental professional

The first step to determine whether implants or overdentures are right for you is to consult with your dental provider. They will go over your dental history and examine your remaining teeth in order to best determine which tooth replacement options will meet your needs.

Personal preference and lifestyle

When determining which option works best for you, you must also consider your personal preference and your lifestyle. Do you want overdentures that are locked in place, or do you want to be able to remove them for more thorough cleaning? Are you confident in your ability to effectively clean those overdentures that are secured in place?

Balancing benefits and drawbacks

When deciding which option to choose, it is important to discuss all the benefits and drawbacks with your dentist or oral surgeon. This allows you to weigh your options and determine which one will benefit you most.

Finding the right tooth replacement option for you

Overdentures and dental implants are both good options for replacing missing teeth, but the choice between the two depends on various factors. Dental implants are a more permanent and durable solution, as they are anchored directly into the jawbone and are designed to last for many years.

Overdentures, on the other hand, are removable and require regular adjustments, but they can be a more cost-effective option for those with significant bone loss or other dental issues that may make dental implant placement difficult.

Ultimately, the choice between overdentures and dental implants should be made in consultation with a dental professional, who can evaluate your specific needs and help you determine the best option for your individual case.

Helping promote a healthy beautiful smile

At New Leaf Rohnert Park, our team of dental professionals understands how missing teeth can affect a person’s self-confidence and self-esteem. We don’t want anyone to have to hide their smile and our team will work with you to develop a custom tooth replacement plan designed just for you. Whether this includes dental implants or overdentures, our goal is to help restore a healthy, beautiful smile and get you back out enjoying life.

To learn more about your dental replacement options, request an appointment today or call us at (707) 586-1549.