Thanks to advances in dental technology, restorative dental treatment or replacing missing teeth has become more advanced than ever before.  Dentists still use traditional methods to replace your missing teeth however these methods have been enhanced significantly for better comfort, convenience, and highly aesthetic results. Both traditional dentures and dental implants Melbourne have been used for many decades for replacing missing teeth.

Removable dentures

In the early 1700s dentures were created using a metal frame and animal bones. By the late 1700s, porcelain dentures had been introduced. Then in 1820 a combination of high-quality porcelain and gold was used to manufacture dentures. They still remained heavy so research began to make them more lightweight. It was in the late 1800s that dentures became lighter; specifically, in the 1850s, dentures were made of Vulcanite. This was cheap which allowed dentures to become available to the wider population, and was commonly used for approximately 75 years however it had its limitations. The aesthetics of vulcanite were poor, and it was thought to have a strange taste and odour. This led to more research and development into better dentures. In this modern era dentures are made from a variety of materials. Acrylic resin, nylon resin, plastics, and metal are all used in the manufacture of dentures. These are aesthetically pleasing, comfortable to wear, convenient and help restore most of the function of your mouth. Dentures come in different types including complete dentures and partial dentures depending on the number of teeth that you are looking to replace.

Dental implants

Dental implants have been used to replace missing teeth in some form or another for thousands of years. In the 1700s human teeth were used from poor people or dead bodies. In the 1800s a gold implant tube was used to hold a crown in place however after a while it was noted that this resulted in gum inflammation and infection. After this many types of substances have been used in the same way including silver capsules, corrugated porcelain and iridium tubes. All of these had their advantages and disadvantages. In 1965 Dr Branemark of Sweden developed and tested medical grade titanium screws for the use of tooth replacement.  He inserted the implants into a human patient and they were found to be the most successful dental implants so far. Dr Branemark’s patient had four implants inserted into their jaw which took approximately six months to become fixed into place by a process known as osseointegration and lasted for the next 40 years until the patient’s death. Since then, dental implants Melbourne have become the most popular method of replacing missing teeth. As mentioned, dental implants Melbourne can last for the whole of your life therefore if you are looking to replace your missing teeth you need to speak to your dentist and find out if dental implants Melbourne are suitable for you.

Traditional dentures vs Dental implants

In comparison to traditional dentures, dental implants are fixed in place. A crown or a set of partial dentures or complete dentures can be fixed to the implant so that it looks and feels like your natural dentition. Traditional dentures are removable and although this is convenient sometimes it can be a hindrance as well. There is a chance of the dentures moving out of place and you may not be able to bite, chew and eat as you would have before. In contrast, if you have dental implant retained dentures then they are fixed in place so there is no chance of them moving or slipping and you can eat and drink as you did before losing your teeth. Another advantage of dental implants in comparison to traditional dentures is that they help maintain healthy gums and jawbone whereas with traditional dentures most patients experience thinning of the jawbone which reduces the natural function of the mouth. Dental implants maintain the health of your remaining teeth by providing strength and stability whereas with traditional dentures the remaining teeth can become weaker over time as well.

Speak to your dentist today to find out more. Both options are commonly in use, however most dentists would recommend that patients who have lost their teeth earlier in life should undergo dental implants to maintain a healthy and confident smile for the rest of their life whereas elderly patients who are looking for a quick and convenient solution can choose dentures instead.

Your dentist will help you make the right choice but it is important that you speak to your dentist sooner rather than later to reduce the consequences that tooth loss can have and start enjoying the benefits of tooth replacement.

Disclaimer

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.