Should I Consider Traditional Denture or Implant Overdenture?

Choosing between traditional dentures and overdentures involves many factors such as your budget, the number of teeth you have remaining, and your personal preferences. Read on about the pros and cons of each type of denture.

Implant supported dentures in Mexico

Are you missing all of your teeth, or just some? How important is it to you to have a natural-looking smile?

If you’re struggling with uncomfortable dentures or have a few good teeth remaining, you may be wondering if you should get a traditional denture or an overdenture. Here’s a look at the key differences between the two types of dentures to help you make a decision.

What Are Overdentures?

Snap in dentures. Implant-supported dentures. Overdentures in Mexico.
Snap in dentures. Implant-supported dentures. Overdentures in Mexico.

Implant overdentures are also called snap in dentures, implant-retained dentures, and implant-supported dentures.

With overdentures, the prosthesis is secured by the implants that are surgically placed in your jawbone. You can benefit from a sturdy, “locked-in” support system that securely holds the prosthesis. 

This means no dislodging, no shifting and most importantly, there’s no movement at all once the prosthesis has been attached to the dental implants. This is the most notable advantage of overdentures over traditional dentures.

So how does the process work with overdentures?

As with any implant procedure, you will be required to have a preoperative dental X-rays and 3D imaging (CT scan). The CT scan provides the critical information about the height, width, and density of your jawbone. Your implant dentist will use this information to determine whether you’re a good candidate for implants.

Normally, it would require you to take two trips to the dental office to complete this procedure.

1. The first trip is for the implant surgery. Your dentist will make small incisions in your gums to reach the underlying bone. A pilot hole will be drilled at precise angles for the placement of the implants. Once the implants are placed, the sites are then stitched up and you’ll be given a set of temporary teeth to wear.

The implants will need time to heal and fuse with the bone, which can take anywhere from  three to six months.

How Dental Implants Look Like
This is the structure of a single dental implant. It is made of 3 parts: The implant post, (made of titanium screw which goes into your jawbone), the abutment (connector) and the dental crown (prosthesis).

2. The second appointment is for the placement of the permanent prosthesis. Your implant dentist will expose the implants and attach the abutments. The locators and the abutments will act as the connector between the implants and the overdenture. This is the key why you can snap on and off your overdenture.

As the last step, your dentist will attach the permanent prosthesis to the abutments. You won’t have to worry about your denture sliding or falling off.

SNAP ON DENTURE TIP: Overdentures are the least expensive way to get implant-supported teeth. Plus you can easily upgrade them to a fixed permanent prosthesis later on. Your dentist can add 2 or more implants at any time to upgrade your snap in dentures to fixed bridge full teeth replacement.

At Dayo Dental, we’ve had clients who started with snap on dentures due to lack of funds. Later on, they requested to upgrade to a fixed, non-removable teeth replacement (all on 4 implants or fixed bridge full teeth replacement) when they had enough funds to cover the procedure.

8 Reasons Why Overdentures Are Better than Traditional Ones

Some of the significant advantages of overdentures are:

1. Retain jawbone structure: Unlike traditional dentures, which can accelerate bone loss in the jaw, overdentures help to preserve and stimulate bone growth.

2. Stable and secure: Nothing more humiliating than laughing or speaking in front of many people and your upper dentures accidentally falling out. Quite a nightmare, right?

The good thing is implant overdentures are more stable than traditional dentures because they are anchored using 2 – 6 sturdy implants per jaw. This makes it easier to eat and speak without worrying about your dentures slipping or dislodging.

3. Looks natural: Does your face look sunken from the bone loss? Implant-supported dentures give lip and facial support to create a full, even smile.

Before and After Overdentures in Los Algodones
Before and After of Snap in Dentures. One of Dayo Dental clients who received overdentures in Mexico.

4. Easy to care for: Overdentures are easy to take care of because you can snap them off after cleaning. You can remove and brush them just like your natural teeth. You won’t need to floss at all.  

5. Full smile replacement: Want a complete smile makeover? Overdentures is a full-arch replacement that can give you just that. With this treatment, you can replace all your teeth on the top or bottom arch — or both.

6. Enjoy more foods: The traditional dentures require you to make many changes in your diet as you cannot bite into hard foods with them. Overdentures, however, can take more biting force helping you enjoy more types of your favorite foods.

7. Feels more like your natural teeth: There are several fibers in your gum that help you feel when you bite the food.

As traditional dentures just sit on your gums the mouthfeel is different and difficult to adapt to. But since the overdentures are connected to your bone and gum tissue via implants, the sensation of biting into the food can be felt.

8. Less irritation to underlying tissue: Since traditional dentures do not get direct support from the bone it is often made to cover your entire palate. This can lead to irritation and redness in this area.

Comparison: Dentures vs Overdentures

 Traditional DenturesOverdentures
Average US Price

$2,400

$20,000

Average Mexico Price

$780

$7,700

Comfort

Can be quite uncomfortable if they’re not properly fitted

Not prone to sliding and fits snugly in your mouth.

Food Restrictions

You must stay away from sticky and hard-to-chew types of food

You can stick with your regular diet and eat just about anything.

Steak and corn on the cob? Absolutely yes!

Appearance

Looks the same as implant-supported dentures

Less bulky and looks more natural

Material

Made of high-quality acrylic

Made of high-quality acrylic

Stability and Retention

Regular dentures sit on the gums and they rely on dental adhesives for support. They are less stable than implant-supported dentures.

Snap on dentures are very secure because they are supported by implants. They wouldn’t snap off unless very abused. Plus the bite strength is very remarkable.

Preserving Your facial structure

Causes facial bone loss and premature aging

Prevents bone from deteriorating and preserves your facial structure

Jawbone Preservation

Speeds up bone loss because traditional dentures rest on the gums. They do not provide direct simulation to the jawbone like implants do.

The implants replace the roots of your missing teeth. They fuse and integrate with your jawbone which prevents it from deteriorating.

What Are Traditional Dentures?

Traditional Dentures. Regular Dentures in Mexico.
Traditional Dentures. Regular Dentures in Mexico.

Before you are all mesmerized with the novelties and advantages the overdentures offer, let’s look at some obvious ups a traditional denture holds.

Traditional dentures have been a one-stop solution for all missing teeth cases for the better part of dental history. 

Traditional dentures are usually made of acrylic resin that rests on your gumline, effectively acting as your teeth once in place. They’re held in place by suction or, in some cases, a dental adhesive

The obvious main advantage of traditional dentures is that they’re simply the cheapest alternative to implant-supported dentures. 

They’re also a good option for people with health conditions that make implant surgery too risky.

The procedure of getting traditional dentures is fairly simple. 

  1. First, your dentist will take impressions of your teeth and gums. During this appointment, he will also measure how much of your gum tissue has receded.
  2. Your dentist will send this information to the lab where your dentures will be made.
  3. It usually takes about 1 to 2 weeks for traditional dentures to be ready. In the meantime, your dentist will give you a temporary denture to wear.

SNAP ON DENTURE TIP: Did you know that you can get affordable dentures in Mexico in less than two days (if you don’t need extractions)? Travel the first day for impressions and measurements. You get your final dentures the next day. And you can save up to 80% compared to your US denture cost.

Once your dentures are ready, you’ll come in for a fitting. During this appointment, your dentist will make any necessary adjustments to ensure a comfortable fit. It’s not unusual to need one or two adjustments before the fit is perfect.

Reasons for the Popularity of Traditional Dentures

  • Cheaper: Currently on a tight budget, but you really want to have a smile that boosts your confidence? Traditional dentures are your best bet. They are usually more economical than other dental prostheses such as implants.

    An average full denture in the US costs $2400, but if you go with Dayo Dental’s partner dental offices in Mexico, the average cost is only $780. That’s a lot of savings!

  • No surgery: The procedure with traditional dentures is fairly simple, less invasive, and does not require surgery. This is perfect for patients with blood disorders or other systemic conditions that make the application of implants risky.
  • Can be fitted in a single appointment: It usually takes about one to two weeks for traditional dentures to be ready. In the meantime, your dentist will give you a temporary denture to wear.

What Factors Should I Consider When Choosing Dentures?

If you lost all your teeth and plan to rehabilitate your smile, learning about the difference between traditional and overdentures is essential. 

And if you are considering having implant overdentures, we have listed below the conditions to watch out for. Let’s jump in:

Are you a good candidate?

Most patients are good candidates for implants. The utmost important factor has enough bone to support the implant. If you don’t have enough bone, the dentist may recommend for you to undergo a sinus lift or a bone graft before getting implants.

Good overall health

Dental implant placement requires surgery, so you need to have yourself medically pre-approved before starting the treatment. You need to be cleared out of any systemic disease that may put your life at risk and cause the implant placement to fail.

Good oral health

If you have loose teeth or receding gums, your periodontal health should be addressed first before getting an overdenture. Having overdentures is a long-term investment, so you need to take good care of your oral health even after placement to increase the longevity of the treatment.

Sufficient amount of jawbone

If you are worried that you don’t have enough bone support and still badly want snap in dentures, your dentist will recommend a bone grafting procedure. 

This will incur additional costs and time for your treatment, but as we’ve said, having overdentures is a long-term investment, so go for the ones that you think will be most beneficial for you. 

Your budget and time constraints

With overdentures, you have to undergo at least two surgeries to complete the procedure. But this is a case to case basis. The number of your dental visits will vary depending on the bone density around the jawbone. Worst case scenario is you might need a bone graft before getting your implants which will require you an additional trip and extra cost.

Budget-wise, traditional dentures are way cheaper than overdentures. But the cost should be weighed against the benefits and lifespan of overdentures, which lasts around 15 years or so.

Top Mexico dentists recommend implant-supported dentures because of their superior stability and prevention to bone loss which you can’t have with traditional dentures.

SNAP ON DENTURE TIP: You can save thousands of dollars with dental implants if you know where to look. We recommend exploring dental tourism options in Mexico where you can potentially save around 50% - 70% on the cost of dental implants.

Cancun, Tijuana and Los Algodones are the top destinations for American and Canadian dental tourists. The Mexico dentists are routinely exposed to international patients who seek major dental procedures such as dental implants, all on four implants and full mouth reconstruction.

Dental tourism in Los Algodones Mexico
Dental tourism in Los Algodones Mexico

 

SNAP ON DENTURE TIP: Cheap overdentures from discount dental offices may look like cheap plastic toys. Make sure you find a good implant dentist that works with a good lab. Look at pictures of their final work to confirm the quality of the prosthesis.

At Dayo Dental, we can connect you with the 5% of the best dentists in Mexico. These are dentists who have met our strict criteria for quality and experience. Dr. Carlos Rubio is one of the most respected dentists in Mexico and has earned the title of the “Most Skilled Implant Surgeon” in the country.

As our client, you can take advantage of our preferred pricing. This means you pay less than what the dentists in our network charge other patients.

Maintenance and Comfort

Without the structural support of teeth, your bone is slowly reabsorbed which will cause your denture to become loose over time. So it’s recommended that you get your denture checked and relined every two years. You are also required to replace them every 5-7 years.

On the other hand, you won’t have to deal with any of these hassles with overdentures. They fit snugly on your gums and don’t require adhesives. They feel more natural and stable so you can go about your daily activities without worrying about them slipping or falling out.

Summary

If you want better stability, convenience, and facial support – go for overdentures. But if you’re on a tight budget and don’t mind the hassles of maintaining traditional dentures, then that’s another option for you to consider.

At the end of the day, it all boils down to your preferences. Weigh your options carefully and consult with your dentist to see what’s best for you. Contact Dayo Dental today and let our partner dentists help you determine the best option for you.

About the Company

Dayo Dental

Dayo Dental is a US-based company helping American and Canadian customers find the most reputable and qualified dentists in Mexico. Through Dayo Dental Network of pre-vetted dental practitioners, clients can find the top dentists in their field offering top-notch dental services for, often times, a fraction of the cost of US/Canadian prices.

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