Dental Implants vs. Dentures

Living with Dentures

Dentures are not a substitute for natural teeth; they are better than not having any teeth at all.  Dentures rest on gum tissues that were never intended to withstand chewing forces.  After teeth are removed, the jawbone undergoes a continuous process of atrophy, which presents itself as shrinkage of the gums.  As the bone recedes, the area available to support and retain a denture becomes more compromised.  These continuous changes require that the dentures be refitted or remade at regular intervals.  As the bone shrinks, support for facial musculature deteriorates, musculature weakens and tissue tone flattens.  Dentures can only be cleaned outside of the mouth.  A trained eye can spot a denture from across a room.

The Benefit of  Dental Implants

Dental implants can be used to replace a single missing tooth, or an entire arch of teeth.  Because they are anchored in the jawbone, their main benefit is that they preserve the bone.  They create a foundation for the stability and permanence of teeth.  Because of their permanence, they maintain facial and muscle structure.  They are cleaned in your mouth, just like natural teeth.  An entire arch of twelve teeth can be replaced with as few as four (All-on-4) implants.  Sometimes, they implants and prosthesis can be placed at the time of tooth extraction.  To see if you are a candidate, give us a call.


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309