All-On-4® vs Snap-On Dentures vs Traditional Dentures
When dealing with tooth loss there are always questions and concerns about which treatment option is right for you. But worry not, 21st century dentistry technology and implant advancements make it faster and easier than ever to restore your smile. Today we will go over the difference between traditional dentures, stabilized overdentures and the All-on-4® so you can understand which treatment option is right for you.
Traditional Dentures:
A traditional denture is a removable set of teeth that sits on your gums. The base is made from an acrylic that matches the natural tone of your gum tissue, and false teeth are attached to the base. They have the advantage of being a quick and simple process, being easy to clean, and being lower cost than the alternatives. However, though modern dentures have evolved significantly, they can still feel bulky, uncomfortable, trigger strong gag reflexes, reduce ability to taste, create difficulties talking, and cause gum irritation due to movement and friction. Despite these drawbacks, traditional dentures are still very popular and generally allow patients to chew, speak, and smile effectively.
Snap-On Dentures
Snap-Ons are much like traditional dentures, they are removable acrylic appliances that look like a traditional denture. They differ in that they snap onto dental implants that are set into your jaw bone through a “button” connection. The less bulky design of these dentures improves ability to taste compared to traditional dentures, and comes with additional benefits such as more stability. This allows users to speak more easily, and avoid using denture adhesive, and suffer less gum abrasion. The added stability comes at the cost of a higher price, and a surgery in which 2-4 abutments are secured to the jaw bone. Because of this, those without enough bone may not be eligible for snap on dentures. Additionally, these dentures must be professionally cleaned, and the button connections will wear out and need to be replaced periodically.
All-On-4®
The All-On-4® is a screw-retained device, typically supported on 4 dental implants. It is designed to replace an entire dental arch of missing teeth, so an implant-supported denture is typically best for patients who have experienced widespread tooth loss. It is the most functional choice and performs like your natural teeth.
The biggest difference between an All-on-Four appliance and an overdenture is the way that it’s shaped. As a permanent appliance, you never have to take it out. Plus, All-on- Four treatments don’t cover the roof of your mouth.This permanent solution to tooth loss and dental damage has a positive impact on jaw health as well. Traditional non-surgical treatment options like dentures do not protect against jaw degeneration. By choosing dental implants, patients will gain an increase in jaw stability. The All-On-4® has additional benefits such as requiring less jaw bone tissue than traditional implants, greater convenience and less downtime, and enhanced stability and support for their denture thanks to the strong titanium base.
Though the All-On-4® comes with many pros there are certainly drawbacks such as a large change in speech or pronounciation after the implant surgery, higher cost, as well as tender gums and difficulty eating during the healing process. Additionally, since the procedure is highly technical, those who are not experts can fail to spend the time needed for proper treatment planning or fail to communicate with the surgeon, leading to compromised implants.
Which is right for you?
During your consultation, we'll give you an assessment to determine whether you are a good candidate for implants, inform you about the process, and help you decide what option is best for you. We always strive to ensure that you understand all of your options in order to make a well-thought-out and educated decision.
Contact Stubbs Dental today to see which of these options is right for you!
