WHAT ARE HYBRID DENTURES, AND ARE THEY RIGHT FOR YOU?

If you’re trying to decide whether to restore your smile with dentures, implants, or a dental bridge, the Marco Island dental experts at Island Tower Dentistry will inform you that there is a fourth option to consider. Hybrid dentures combine the advantages of traditional dentures with those of implants to provide patients with a long-term dental solution for replacing missing teeth.

Dentures have long been a go-to solution for patients in Southwest Florida who need to replace all or most of their missing teeth in an arch,” says Dr. Jonathan Van Dyke of Island Tower Dentistry. “Meanwhile, advances in dentistry over the past few decades have helped make implants an equally viable teeth replacement option.”

The Marco Island clinic’s Dr. Ryan Whelen adds that “the continuing evolution of edentulism dentistry—that is, ‘tooth loss’ dentistry—has provided the field another option that melds the benefits of the other two. Some patients struggle with dentures, and others are unsuitable candidates for implants. Hybrid dentures bridge the gap between the potential shortfalls of dentures and implants, providing patients with another effective avenue for successful teeth replacement.”

To help expand your understanding of teeth replacement options, here is what you need to know about hybrid dentures.

TRADITIONAL TEETH REPLACEMENT OPTIONS

Dentures are removable prosthetic devices that fit in the mouth to replace missing teeth and surrounding gum tissue. Designed to fit snugly over the gums, a complete denture replaces all teeth in an arch, while a partial denture replaces some teeth and fits over the gums and between the remaining natural teeth. Dentures mimic the appearance of natural teeth but not the feel, and they have lower chewing efficiency compared to natural teeth. While considered a cost-effective option for teeth replacement, some patients struggle with comfort issues and the need for nightly removal, soaking, and special cleaning. Over time, dentures often require adjustments or replacement when they no longer fit snugly, causing them to shift, slip, and create difficulties with chewing and speaking.

As the name suggests, a dental bridge bridges the gap left by one or more missing teeth. This option is typically available to patients who are missing one to three teeth in a row. Healthy remaining teeth surrounding the gap serve as anchors to support the bridge, which contains prosthetic teeth designed and crafted to mimic the appearance of the patient’s natural teeth.

Dental implants are surgically inserted into the jawbone to serve as permanent prosthetic replacements for the roots of natural teeth. Once inserted, titanium alloys in the implant promote the bone to fuse with it in what’s known as osseointegration. When the fusion is complete, the implant can be capped with a dental crown that looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth. While implants are more expensive than dentures and dental bridges, they have an advantage over the other options due to their longevity, stability, realistic appearance, and ability to absorb bite pressure.

HYBRID DENTURES RELY ON IMPLANTS FOR SUPPORT

Hybrid dentures combine denture and implant technology by using four to six implants to support a full arch of prosthetic teeth. Also known as “implant-supported dentures,” this teeth replacement option offers a permanent fixed alternative to traditional dentures. Like traditional implants, osseointegration securely fuses their titanium posts into the jawbone. However, instead of being topped by dental crowns, the implants are topped by and affixed to what is essentially a denture. This resolves challenges of wearing traditional dentures, such as slipping out of place, nightly removal for cleaning, and pain and soreness.

THE BENEFITS OF HYBRID DENTURES

Factors such as the extent and location of tooth loss, jawbone health, and cost will undoubtedly influence your decision regarding which tooth replacement option works best for you. Depending on your situation, some benefits that hybrid implants may have over other options include:

• Will not shift out of place while eating or talking.
• Feels more natural in the mouth than removable dentures.
• Easy to clean and care for like natural teeth.
• Supports strong and efficient biting pressure.
• Like traditional implants, they support jawbone health and integrity.
• Allows your dentist to remove and reattach the prosthetic denture from the posts if necessary for deep cleaning or repair.
• Works for some patients who do not have enough jawbone tissue or want to avoid bone grafting to support traditional implants.

ALL-ON-4 IS OUR CHOICE FOR HYBRID DENTURES IN MARCO ISLAND

Island Tower Dentistry is pleased to offer All-on-4 dental implants to patients in Southwest Florida as our preferred hybrid denture option. As suggested by the name, All-on-4 relies on four strategically placed titanium implants to support a complete arch of prosthetic teeth—i.e., the denture. Using advanced dental technology, we can insert the implants during a single appointment and, in most cases, attach them with a temporary denture that provides you with functional teeth. Over the next few months, while awaiting osseointegration to bond the bone to the implants, technicians will custom-make a denture designed to fit your mouth perfectly, giving it a natural appearance and bite. Once fitted, you’ll have plenty of reasons to smile!

LEARN MORE ABOUT ALL-ON-4 DENTAL IMPLANTS IN MARCO ISLAND

To determine if All-on-4 may be a suitable option for your tooth replacement needs, reach out to the denture and implant specialists at Island Tower Dentistry in Marco Island, Florida. Dr. Van Dyke, Dr. Whelan, and their dedicated team of dental hygienists, assistants, and office support personnel are ready to answer any questions you have regarding tooth replacement options. To learn more, contact us online or call us at 239-394-1004.