What’s Better: Fixed or Removable Dentures?

Missing teeth may not seem like a huge deal. But they can significantly impact a person’s health and quality of life. In fact, missing teeth can lead to numerous complications, such as:

• Difficulty chewing and swallowing
• Dietary problems and insufficient nutrition 
• Bite changes
• Bone loss and deterioration
• Dental issues, like cavities, tooth damage, and additional tooth loss

Having missing teeth can even alter your appearance and impact your self-confidence.

Believe it or not, about 120 million people, or 50% of American adults, have at least one missing tooth. And, surprisingly, 36 million people in America have no teeth at all. 

Fortunately, there are several solutions that can address tooth loss and its complications, including dentures. 

At Goodman Dental Center in Queen Creek, Arizona, our team helps people replace missing teeth with fixed and removable dentures. If you have tooth loss, here’s a quick overview of each type of denture, along with their individual benefits.

What you need to know about removable and fixed dentures

Most people have heard of a removable denture. These devices have artificial teeth, rest on top of your gums, and are often referred to as “traditional dentures.” As you might guess, that’s because they’ve been around for a very long time, and for many years, they were the only option for replacing missing teeth.

Conversely, fixed dentures are a much more recent development. Like traditional dentures, they use a similar device with artificial gums and teeth. However, instead of sitting on top of your gums, they get attached to your jaw bone using four or six dental implants. As a result, they are also referred to as “implant-supported dentures.”

How to know which option is right for you

It can be tricky deciding between removable and fixed dentures. After all, they both offer benefits For example, both removable and fixed dentures help restore your bite and your oral mechanics, which makes it easier to eat and speak. Similarly, they both improve your smile and the contours of your face.

However, there are other considerations to keep in mind for each tooth restoration device.

When to consider removable dentures

When it comes to removable dentures, there are two obvious benefits. The first one is cost. These devices tend to cost less than fixed dentures. 

An additional benefit comes into play for people with a weak or very thin jawbone. Fixed dentures require strong jawbone to adequately support the implants. If your jawbone is very thin (one of the complications seen with long-term tooth loss), there may not be enough bone to support the denture. 

If you do have a weak or thin jawbone, fixed dentures could still be an option. However, you could need grafts to “build up” the bone tissue in the area. That means your treatment could take longer and be more costly. In many cases, people opt for removable dentures, instead. 

However, if your jawbone is thinning and you choose removable dentures, you may need frequent adjustments to ensure they fit properly to avoid slippage and sore spots.

When to consider fixed dentures

One of the biggest benefits of fixed dentures is security. That’s because they get anchored to your jaw bone by titanium posts, making them stable and secure with no risk of sore spots or slippage from ill-fitting devices. 

Instead, fixed dentures feel and function more like your natural teeth. As a result, their care routine is also simpler than removable devices. And many people find they feel more confident with fixed dentures, since they function like their “real” teeth. 

An added benefit of fixed dentures is that the titanium post promotes jaw bone replacement, which prevents the bone loss that often occurs with missing teeth. 

Finally, because fixed dentures are so secure, you can eat whatever foods you like! With removable devices, you have to avoid foods that could cause your dentures to slip or “pop out,” like caramels, fresh apples, or corn on the cob.

Reclaiming your brilliant smile

At the end of the day, it’s essential to replace missing teeth as soon as possible, whether you choose bridges, implants, removable dentures, or fixed devices. Addressing tooth loss as quickly as you can preserve your bite mechanics and help you avoid more problems in the future.

Don’t let one or more missing teeth take a toll on your self-confidence and overall wellness. At Goodman Dental Center, you can get state-of-the-art care you need to restore your smile and feel great about the way you look. To learn more about both fixed and removable dentures, call 480-807-4000 or request an appointment online today.