Tag Archives: chewing efficiency with dentures

Should I get All-on-Four implants to make it more affordable?

I wanted to get dental implants, but they were out of my budget. I got dentures, but they’re horrible ugly. I’ve been reading that all-on-four dental implants are more affordable. Will that be a better option than the dentures?

Marissa M. – San Antonio, TX

Marissa,

I have several thoughts on this.

First, if your dentures are ugly, it’s because of the dentist, not because you got dentures. Well done dentures can be made to look just like natural teeth. In fact, with a great cosmetic dentist, you could end up with a prettier smile than you had when you went in.  If you’re happy with your dentures, other than their appearance, you could just have them re-done by a more artistic dentist.

There are reasons for choosing dental implants over dentures, though I know affording them is an issue. First, is protection of your jawbone. When you remove your teeth, your body begins to resorb the minerals in your jawbone to use elsewhere. In a few years, you have a shrunken jawbone. Other reasons for implants are comfort, security, and chewing effeciency. Dental implants don’t move around in your mouth the way dentures do.

As far as getting all-on-four, I wouldn’t recommend it. This procedure has a higher than normal failure rate. Plus, if one implant has a problem, the entire unit has to be re-done, which can get expensive.

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