Missing or weak teeth can affect your ability to eat, speak, and have a winning smile. If you’re looking into the options for tooth replacement, you’ve probably come across several solutions.
In this article, we’ll examine dental implants, particularly All-on-4 implants, and compare them with dentures and dental crowns, and bridges. We’ll describe the long-term benefits of choosing permanent dental implants and, in particular, All-on-4 implants.
Keep reading to find the key to restoring your smile and confidence.
Common Solutions for Missing Teeth
Dentures, dental crowns, and bridges are popular and common options for restoring your smile and oral health when you’re dealing with damaged teeth or small gaps.
Dentures:
- What They Are and How They Work
Essentially, these are removable appliances capable of replacing a few missing teeth or all of your teeth. They’re custom-made to fit your mouth, resting on your gums and sometimes supported by natural teeth or dental implants. - Pros and Cons
On the plus side, dentures are typically more affordable than other tooth replacement options, making them accessible to a wider range of people. Another bonus, for some, is you don’t need surgery to get them.
A downside for some, since dentures are removable, they can slip or shift in your mouth, especially if they do not fit perfectly or you haven’t worn them for a while.
Also, they don’t have the same level of bite strength as natural teeth or implants, so you might need to avoid particularly hard or sticky foods.
Dental Crowns and Bridges:
- When to Consider Crowns and Bridges
A crown is a cap, placed over a damaged tooth to restore its shape, size, and strength. It is custom-made to match the colour and shape of your natural teeth, so it blends in seamlessly with your smile.
Dental bridges are used to fill the gap created by one or more missing teeth. They can help restore your ability to chew and speak properly and help prevent your remaining teeth from shifting out of position, which can happen when there’s a gap in your smile. - Benefits and Limitations
Crowns and bridges are a fixed solution, meaning they don’t move around in your mouth like dentures can. This makes them more comfortable and stable, allowing you to eat and speak with greater ease. Plus, they’re quite durable, often lasting many years with proper care.
One possible downside is crowns and bridges typically require the adjacent healthy teeth to be filed down in order to fit the crowns, which is something to consider if those teeth are otherwise in good condition.
Why Choose Implants Over Traditional Methods?
While dentures, crowns, and bridges have been the go-to choices for years, the more recent introduction of dental implants offers something special.
Longevity and Durability
Unlike dentures, which may need to be replaced every 5 to 10 years, or bridges possibly needing adjustments over time, implants are designed to be a permanent solution.
Comparison with Dentures and Bridges
- Dentures are removable and sit on top of your gums. While they can restore your ability to eat and speak, they can shift or slip, especially when eating tough or sticky foods, which can be a bit embarrassing in social situations.
- Bridges are a fixed option, but they rely on the adjacent teeth for support. This means those neighbouring teeth need to be filed down to accommodate the bridge, which isn’t ideal if they’re perfectly healthy.
- Implants, which could be a full teeth replacement are permanent, fixed in place and don’t depend on other teeth.
Maintenance and Care
Dental implants are simple to take care of. Unlike wearing dentures, which you may need to soak overnight and clean separately from your natural teeth, implants can be brushed and flossed like the rest of your teeth.
Natural Look and Feel
Because they’re anchored in your jawbone, implants don’t sit on your gums, they become part of your mouth. This means they feel stable and natural, like your original teeth.
The Aesthetic Benefits
Unlike dentures, which can sometimes look a bit artificial, implants are practically indistinguishable from real teeth. Whether you’re talking, laughing, or eating, no one will be able to tell the difference.
Improved Speech and Comfort
Dentures can slip, cause you to mumble or even create a ‘whistle effect’, sometimes, when you talk. Implants, however, stay put, allowing you to speak clearly and confidently. Plus, since they’re not pressing down on your gums or rubbing against them, they’re a lot more comfortable too.
The Modern, Permanent Solution For Missing Teeth
Imagine you could replace all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw with four strategically placed implants. This is exactly what All-on-4 implants are all about!
Overview of the Procedure and Technology
The All-on-4 procedure starts with your dentist planning the placement of four implants in your jaw. Once the implants are in place, a full arch of prosthetic teeth is attached, giving you a complete set of permanent, natural-looking teeth.
Advantages of the All-on-4 Approach
- Fast-fitting
Traditional implants can take months of healing between each step, but with All-on-4, you could walk out of the dental office with a new smile in one day. - Cost-effective
Since you’re only getting four implants instead of one for each tooth, the overall cost is generally lower than replacing all your teeth with individual implants. - Comfort
All-on-4 implants are designed to feel like your natural teeth, so there’s no need to worry about them slipping or causing discomfort, like dentures sometimes can.
Who Is a Good Candidate for All-on-4?
People who are in generally good health and are looking for a long-term solution to replace their missing teeth are usually the best candidates. They’re also ideal for those who want to regain the confidence of having a full set of permanent teeth, without the ongoing maintenance needed by dentures.
Why Choose Us for Your All-on-4 Dental Implants in Sydney?
At Bexley Dental, we believe our All-on-4 dental implants are the best choice for anyone in Sydney looking for a permanent, reliable, and natural-looking solution to missing teeth.
We’ve been at the forefront of dental innovation for years, and our team is made up of highly experienced professionals who specialise in All-on-4 implants.
We understand the idea of dental surgery can be a little daunting, but we go above and beyond to make sure you’re comfortable from start to finish.
With our All-on-4 implants, you’re getting a long-lasting solution looking and feeling like your natural teeth. Our patients consistently tell us how life-changing their new smile has been, and we’re excited to help you achieve the same.
