Losing a full set of teeth can occur gradually over time, or through something dramatic such as a car accident. Some side effects of medical treatment can also make this more likely to happen. Whichever way it does occur though, it means that the person concerned has some significant decisions to make.
Most people are unlikely to opt to not replace their missing teeth at all, unless perhaps, they are approaching the end of their life. For most people, having teeth that are functional and looking as natural as possible is very important, and the more natural and attractive they look, the better.
There are only really two options available here and that is the use of dentures or using dental implants and we will look at these in more detail now.
This would once have been the only option available. Most older people of past generations would have had these, if they bothered at all. Whereas once, it was a case of ‘needs must’ and poverty wouldn’t even allow the purchase of dentures for some, most people would now at least choose to have dentures rather than no teeth at all.
Denture quality has increased over the years and they now look reasonably natural and are probably as comfortable as they are likely to ever get. The main issue with full dentures though is that there is nothing to attach them to except for the gums. This is done through a combination of suction and denture adhesive. This approach can be reasonably effective for a while but as bone loss in the jaw increases due to the lack of teeth roots, the facial shape changes and dentures tend to become loose as a consequence.
Not only is this a problem from a comfort and aesthetic point of view but can also be a problem for eating some foods. Many people with full dentures will avoid certain foods due to this difficulty. There is also potential damage to dentures to take into consideration and although this can be the cheapest option initially, there are likely to be repairs and adjustment costs to take into consideration over the years.
Also known as the All on 4 procedure, this provides a much more secure option than full dentures and this is reflected in the cost. Full dentures currently cost from just under £1000 (although as mentioned, allow for adjustments and repairs etc), while an All on 4 treatment costs from just under £16,000. As you can see, there is a big difference in cost which does lead some patients to question whether the cost of All on 4 implants is really worth it.
This decision will of course be influenced by your budget, and our Blake Dental team understands why some opt for dentures. It is worth looking at this in more detail though and weighing up the costs and benefits of the All on 4 procedure.
Firstly, the reason for the cost is partially the materials and partially the time and skills involved in the treatment itself. Dentists also have to complete an additional study period of around five years to place dental implants. It is an involved and highly sophisticated area of dentistry which is why this is necessary.
It might be tempting to choose the cheaper option and ‘put up’ with the disadvantages of dentures but having a full set of teeth using this fascinating dental implant procedure can offer a lot of benefits for a one off cost, as they rarely require further intervention.
So why would you pay the extra for Teeth in a Day? For one thing, it is a one off treatment and once you have your new teeth, they can last for twenty years or more if you follow aftercare instructions, which are essentially the same as for your natural teeth. We will discuss this at the consultation. Once placed, you shouldn’t suffer from any significant bone loss in the jaw as the implants replace the natural tooth roots that have been lost. The osseointegration that causes the bone to fuse with the implants means that your new teeth will be securely held in place and you will be able to eat anything you like without having to worry about them becoming loose. You also brush and floss as normal, unlike dentures which require removal for cleaning and soaking overnight. In effect, you can treat them as you would your natural teeth.
The procedure itself, as the name sometimes suggests, is sometimes done in one day and you leave our Witham dental practice with a full set of functional teeth. We recommend that you eat softer foods for a while, partially for your own comfort. Very soon though, you can eat whatever you want.
While the treatment does take longer than a standard dental procedure and is naturally an invasive one, we do offer sedation options to help you through this and we will talk this through with you at the consultation.
We strongly caution patients of Blake Dental against opting to have implants placed more cheaply abroad. There are potentially some serious and significant risks involved and can result in pain and also ending up paying a lot more when things go wrong to have them corrected. Qualification and experience levels may differ abroad while UK dental implant dentists are highly trained and regulated. It is better to be safe than sorry.
If you are still uncertain about which is the best approach for you, the best thing to do is to speak to one of our dentists who will be pleased to explain things in more detail so that you can make an informed decision. To arrange your appointment, please call our Witham dental practice today on 01376 501688.
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Katie Annabel Blake trading as Blake Dental is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Financing First Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Katie Annabel Blake is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Financing First Limited may not be so authorised and regulated.
