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If you are experiencing tooth loss, serious tooth decay or advanced gum disease, you may be a candidate for dentures. Hopefully you’ve already been conducting research into the types of dentures that are available. One of the many questions you may have in addition to the cost of dentures might include discovering the difference between implant and conventional dentures. It’s a good question to ask and one we’d like to help answer for you.

Prior to choosing denture types, you’ll want to discuss the health of your gums and bone structure and density. You see, as you chew and use your mouth it improves your strength and density. When teeth are removed, that density and strength will change and weaken, changing the structure of your mouth. Now, keep this in mind as you continue to read on about the differences.

Implant dentures are placed in your mouth using dental implants to hold them in place in your jaw bone. While that may seem painful, the benefits of implant dentures will outweigh the slight discomfort that may be experienced in the beginning stages. When implant dentures are placed in your mouth, they are inserted securely, allowing your body to think that the teeth are naturally in place allowing the natural maintenance of bone cells and muscle tissue that will keep your jaw bone strong and healthy. Moreover, the devices will not slip out of place and will allow you to chew and enjoy food like you normally would.

Conventional dentures, of course, are teeth that can be placed in and out of the mouth at your convenience. This allows you to take a break when you need to, as well as makes cleaning easier. However, there are also disadvantages to conventional dentures. Remember above when we said that your gum line and bone structure changes? When you have conventional dentures, they don’t have the same strengthening impact on your jaw bone causing an adverse effect of weakening and shrinking of the gum line and bone. This leads to slippage and shifting of the dentures in your mouth while you eat, laugh or talk. Not only can this be embarrassing in social situations, it can also cause sores in the mouth and other irritation. Depending on normal wear and tear, conventional dentures will need to be relined or replaced, usually after 5 years or so.

Ultimately, there is a difference between implant dentures and conventional. Be sure that you discuss your preferences with your dentist and be prepared to find the ones that make the most sense for you in the long term.