Missing one or more teeth can cause many difficulties in life, from the inability to properly chew your food to a reduction in overall confidence. Luckily, there are solutions to help with this problem, one of which is permanent dentures.

If you’re wondering what permanent dentures are and debating whether you should get them, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading to learn what permanent dentures are and additional information to help you make the right choice.

What Are Permanent Dentures?

Permanent dentures are just one type of denture, so let’s start with the basics by explaining what dentures are.

Dentures are a device that serves as a replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissue. A common misconception is that only the elderly get dentures. However, dentures are suitable for anyone who has lost their adult teeth.

Let’s talk about the different types of dentures.

Different Types of Dentures

Dentures break down into two categories: removable dentures and permanent dentures.

Removable Dentures

When most people think of conventional dentures, removable dentures usually come to mind. It’s a familiar movie trope to see older adults remove their dentures before bed or have them accidentally fall out.

Removable dentures are made to fit your mouth precisely and can be removed and put in at your leisure. They are often removed during sleep and put in to speak, eat, or take photographs.

Removable dentures come as complete dentures and partial dentures. A complete denture is when all teeth are missing due to aging, injury, or extraction. Sometimes complete dentures are made after your teeth have been removed (conventional), and sometimes they’re made before, allowing you to have your set of dentures right away after removal (immediate dentures).

Partial dentures are meant for when you have a few natural teeth left in your mouth. They fill in the gaps from your missing teeth and prevent your remaining teeth from shifting in your mouth, minimizing further damage and discomfort.

If you don’t like the idea of having to take your regular dentures in and out, or if you’ve had an experience with ill-fitting loose dentures, you have the option of getting permanent dentures. Let’s take a close look at permanent dentures.

Permanent Dentures

Permanent dentures, also known as fixed dentures, are a device that is permanently attached to your jaw. Permanent dentures are held in place through dental implants. These implants ensure that the dentures are stable in your mouth.

Unlike removable dentures, getting permanent dentures requires surgery. After surgery, it takes a few months for your jawbone to fuse around the titanium post that the implants are on.

As with removable dentures, permanent or fixed dentures can also be complete or partial, depending on how many teeth you’re missing.

Now that you know what permanent dentures are, let’s take a look at the benefits of permanent dentures.

Benefits of Permanent Dentures

There are various benefits to permanent dentures, and depending on your needs, it may be more beneficial to opt for permanent dentures rather than removable dentures. Here are a few of the top benefits of permanent dentures.

Durability

The main benefit of permanent dentures is their durability.

Permanent dentures are durable, and you can expect them to last a long time. However, it’s important to note that even though they’re permanent, they don’t last forever. Due to normal wear and tear, your permanent dentures may need to be adjusted or remade. Moreover, your bone and tissue change as you age, which may significantly affect your permanent dentures.

Dentures typically last anywhere from five to ten years for a denture wearer with no problems and good oral health.

Better Mobility

In general, a permanent denture treatment is more functional than a removable denture because the dentures are fused in place and therefore don’t move around your mouth as much. You’ll have an easier time chewing and speaking, and better overall mouth functionality with an implant supported denture.

Won’t Be Misplaced

Finally, one of the most overlooked benefits of permanent dentures over temporary dentures is that you won’t lose these dentures.

Dentures can be expensive and a lot of work to get. Losing removable dentures, whether misplaced, forgotten, or lost by some other means, can be a significant financial and functional inconvenience.

You don’t have to worry about that with implant-supported dentures, as they are permanently fused to your mouth.

While permanent dentures have multiple benefits, they are not your only option for permanent tooth replacement. One alternative is to opt for dental implants.

Permanent Dentures Alternative: Dental Implants

Full dental implants are a common alternative to permanent dentures. While similar to permanent dentures, dental implants focus more on the placement of each tooth.

Full denture implants involve placing individual dental implants strategically in your mouth. At the end of the artificial dental implant is a titanium post around which your jaw bone will grow.

What’s more, compared to the five to ten-year lifespan of permanent dentures, dental implants may potentially last a lifetime with proper care.

The Takeaway: Permanent Dentures Provide Long-Term Benefits

Permanent dentures are a great way to improve the functionality of your teeth and the look of your smile when you no longer have your original teeth. With diligent care, they can last you a long time.

Hopefully, this article has answered some questions about permanent dentures to help you decide whether they’re the right choice.

At You Make Me Smile, we do both dentures and dental implants. Want to discuss your options? Contact us today.