Anchored Dentures in Colorado | Cost, Benefits & Alternatives Explained

Making a decision about your dental health is a major investment, both financially and in your quality of life. You want a solution that not only restores your smile but also provides lasting function and peace of mind. Anchored dentures are often presented as a middle ground between traditional dentures and permanent implants, offering better stability without the commitment of a fully fixed bridge. However, it’s important to look at the complete picture. This article examines the true cost and commitment of anchored dentures, including the need for regular replacements and maintenance, to help you determine the best long-term value for your health.

Patients who are struggling with damaged, failing, or missing teeth may opt for anchored dentures instead of traditional dentures due to the better grip and bite strength provided by the former. They may have also considered permanent dental implant solutions like All-On-4. In this article, we will delve into what anchored dentures are, their benefits and drawbacks, and how they compare to traditional dentures and All-On-4 full-arch dental implants.

What Are Anchored Dentures?

Anchored dentures, also known as snap-in dentures, snap-on dentures, overdentures, or permanent dentures, consist of two parts that help restore normal function to the mouth. The first part is a permanent screw or implant that is fixed to the jawbone, while the second part is removable fake teeth. Although the screws placed in the jawbone are permanent, the fake teeth of anchored dentures are not.

Like all dentures, they must be removed every night for cleaning, and the fake teeth should be replaced every 5 years. This applies to all types of dentures, whether traditional, partial, or anchored.

How Anchored Dentures Work?

Anchored dentures are removable dentures secured with dental implants. Unlike traditional dentures that sit on the gums, anchored dentures snap or clip onto implants, providing superior stability, reducing movement, and allowing you to chew and speak with confidence.

Who Can Benefit from Anchored Dentures

Patients with missing teeth, failing dentures, or those seeking a more secure denture solution are ideal candidates. Anchored dentures are often recommended for those who want improved comfort and function but are not ready for fully permanent implant bridges.

The Process: From Consultation to Final Fit

Getting anchored dentures is a multi-step process that requires careful planning and patience, but the result is a stable, confident smile that can truly change your life. It all begins with a thorough consultation to see if this solution is the right fit for you. From there, your dental team creates a detailed surgical and healing plan tailored to your specific needs to ensure the best possible outcome. Understanding each phase of the journey can help you feel prepared and confident as you move forward with restoring your smile and oral function for the long term.

Determining Your Candidacy

The first step is to find out if you’re a good candidate for this procedure. This involves a comprehensive dental exam, which typically includes X-rays and models of your mouth. Your dentist needs to assess the health of your gums and, most importantly, the density of your jawbone. A strong jawbone is essential for successfully placing the dental implants that will secure your dentures. This initial evaluation is critical, and it’s important to work with an experienced professional who can give you a clear and honest assessment. A skilled team will walk you through the findings and help you understand all your options, ensuring you feel comfortable with the path forward.

The Surgical and Healing Timeline

Once you’re confirmed as a candidate, the journey to your new smile begins. The entire process can take anywhere from four to twelve months, so patience is key. First, the dental implants are surgically placed into your jawbone. Then comes the most important phase: healing. Over the next two to six months, the implants will fuse with your bone in a process called osseointegration, creating a powerful, stable foundation. In some cases, a second minor surgery is needed to expose the tops of the implants and attach extensions. Finally, your custom-made dentures are created and securely attached, giving you a brand-new, functional smile you can be proud of.

Anchored Dentures vs. Traditional Dentures: Key Differences Explained

Anchored dentures and traditional dentures differ only in the way they attach to the gums, despite their apparent dissimilarity. Traditional dentures use adhesives to stay in place, which makes them less secure and less able to provide grip or bite strength compared to anchored dentures. Anchored dentures, on the other hand, snap onto permanent connectors embedded into the jaw, providing more support but with a higher price point. However, both types of dentures are made of soft acrylic material that is susceptible to damage, and they come with dietary restrictions such as avoiding hard or crunchy foods. Additionally, they both require nightly removal for cleaning to prevent bacterial buildup and bad odors, and they need to be replaced every 5 years or so.

A Look at the Financial Investment

Let’s talk about one of the most practical aspects of any major dental procedure: the cost. Understanding the financial side of anchored dentures helps you plan and make an informed decision about your oral health. While the final price tag can vary, knowing the components that contribute to it gives you a clear picture of what to expect. It’s not just about the price, but the long-term value you receive from a stable, confident smile that allows you to enjoy life without hesitation. This investment is about restoring function and reclaiming a sense of normalcy in your day-to-day activities, from eating your favorite foods to laughing with friends.

Cost Breakdown for Anchored Dentures

The cost for anchored dentures can vary significantly based on your specific needs and the treatment plan you and your dentist create. Generally, you can expect the investment for a removable, implant-supported denture to be between $6,000 and $15,000 per arch. This price typically includes the surgical placement of the implants, the custom-made denture, and all the appointments needed to ensure a perfect fit. Think of it as an investment in your daily comfort and confidence, allowing you to eat, speak, and smile without the worries that can come with traditional dentures that slip or feel unstable.

Factors That Affect the Final Price

Several key factors influence the total cost of your treatment. The number of implants required is a primary driver; some patients may only need two, while others might need four or more for optimal stability. Your jawbone health also plays a role, as preliminary procedures like bone grafting or tooth extractions will add to the cost.

Finally, the specific materials used for your denture and the expertise of your dental team are factored in. The best way to get an accurate estimate is through a personalized consultation where a dentist can assess your unique situation and outline a clear treatment plan tailored just for you.

Understanding Insurance Coverage

Navigating dental insurance can feel complicated, but it’s an important step in the process. Most dental insurance plans offer some level of coverage for the denture portion of the treatment, but coverage for the dental implants themselves is less common. It’s crucial to contact your insurance provider directly to understand the specifics of your plan. Our team at Dental & Implant Centers of Colorado is experienced in this area and can help you make sense of your benefits.

We also offer various financing and insurance options to make the procedure more accessible and manageable for your budget, ensuring you can get the care you need.

Anchored Dentures or All-On-4 Implants: Which Is for You?

Anchored dentures and All-On-4 Full Arch dental implants are two options for patients with damaged or missing teeth. While anchored dentures use a two-part device that attaches to the jaw with screws and removable fake teeth, All-On-4 Full Arch dental implants are permanent, fixed implants made of zirconia. Both anchored dentures and traditional dentures have significant drawbacks when compared to All-On-4 Full Arch implants. They require nightly cleaning, are prone to bacterial buildup, come with dietary restrictions, and can impact speech.

Anchored dentures must also be replaced approximately every 5 years, whereas All-On-4 Full Arch implants are a one-time solution. Cost is another advantage of All-On-4 Full Arch dental implants over dentures. At our offices, patients can get All-On-4 Full Arch dental implants for $17,999 per row of teeth (as of May 2023), while the initial cost of anchored dentures is comparable, but they will require replacement every 5 years at the patient’s expense. Patients often choose All-On-4 Full Arch implants when they realize the true cost of anchored dentures and want a solution without the drawbacks.

The Pros and Cons of Each Denture Type

Comparing the pros and cons of anchored dentures and traditional dentures can help patients make an informed decision when choosing a denture style.

The Upside of Anchored Dentures

Anchored dentures have a more secure fit due to their permanent abutments in the jawbone, which can make it easier to enjoy the foods you can eat. However, they still have strict dietary restrictions compared to All-On-4 full-arch dental implants.

Preventing Jawbone Deterioration

When you lose teeth, the underlying jawbone loses the stimulation it once received from the tooth roots. Over time, this can lead to significant bone loss, which alters the shape of your face and can make wearing traditional dentures more difficult. Because anchored dentures rely on dental implants that are surgically placed into the jaw, they mimic the function of natural tooth roots. This process, called osseointegration, provides the necessary stimulation to help preserve your jawbone’s density and structure. The implants provide a strong foundation for your dentures and play a crucial role in maintaining your long-term oral health and facial integrity.

Improving Your Chewing Power

One of the biggest frustrations with traditional dentures is their tendency to slip, making it difficult to speak clearly and eat comfortably. Anchored dentures solve this problem by snapping securely onto implants in your jaw. This stability dramatically improves your ability to chew, restoring up to 60-90% of the function of natural teeth. You’ll find it’s much easier to eat harder and stickier foods that were off-limits with conventional dentures. This secure fit not only makes mealtimes more enjoyable but also gives you the confidence to smile and talk without worrying about your dentures moving out of place.

The Downsides of Anchored Dentures

Anchored dentures are significantly more expensive than traditional dentures, often costing tens of thousands of dollars more. They are also bulky, can interfere with natural speech, and have dietary restrictions. Like traditional dentures, they need to be removed nightly for cleaning and require scheduled replacements every five years, which can be costly.

Wear and Tear on Attachments

While the titanium posts placed in your jawbone are designed to last a lifetime, the denture and its connecting parts are not. Think of the attachments like the snaps on a well-loved jacket—with daily use, they eventually wear down. Every time you remove your anchored dentures for cleaning, combined with the constant pressure from chewing, these small components can loosen. Over time, your once-secure dentures might start to feel wobbly, requiring a visit to the dentist for tightening or replacement of the attachments. This ongoing maintenance, along with the need to replace the entire denture every five to ten years, is an important factor to consider in the long-term cost and commitment of this tooth replacement option.

The Upside of Traditional Dentures

Traditional dentures are less expensive than anchored dentures.

The Downsides of Traditional Dentures

Traditional dentures rely on adhesives to stay in place and can slip or move around, making eating and speaking more difficult. They also have dietary restrictions, require nightly cleaning, and come with scheduled replacements every five years. Overall, All-On-4 full arch dental implants provide a much better fit, greater dietary freedom, and do not require nightly cleaning or scheduled replacements like anchored and traditional dentures.

Issues with Fit and Comfort Over Time

While anchored dentures feel much more secure than traditional ones at first, they come with long-term maintenance needs that can affect their fit and comfort. Over time, the acrylic material of the denture itself can wear out, and the components that snap onto the implants might get loose and need professional tightening. This isn’t a one-time fix; you’ll need to factor in regular dental visits for adjustments.

Furthermore, the denture portion isn’t permanent and typically needs to be completely replaced every five years or so. These ongoing adjustments and replacements are crucial for maintaining function, but they also represent a recurring investment of time and money, unlike more permanent dental implant solutions that are designed to last for many years without needing replacement.

Are Dental Implants and Anchored Dentures the Same?

When it comes to dental solutions, patients may mistakenly believe that All-On-4 Full Arch dental implants and anchored dentures are interchangeable, but they are actually quite different. Here’s a comparison of the two options: Are They The Same? No, All-On-4 Full Arch dental implants and anchored dentures have distinct procedures, materials, and outcomes. All-On-4 Full Arch dental implants are a permanent, fixed solution for missing, damaged, or failing teeth. They require surgery to be placed, and after healing, they look, feel, and function like natural teeth. The prosthetic teeth are made of durable, white zirconia that requires no special cleaning and won’t develop odors. They don’t require replacement and can last a lifetime with proper dental care.

In contrast, anchored dentures are not permanent. They are a type of denture that snaps onto connectors permanently attached to the jawbone. However, the prosthetic teeth are made of the same material as traditional dentures and need to be replaced every 5 years, which incurs additional costs. Anchored dentures require regular adjustments to ensure a comfortable and proper fit. If patients have to choose between all-on-4 and anchored dentures, All-On-4 Full Arch dental implants are always the superior choice due to their numerous benefits. We specialize in All-On-4 Full Arch dental implants, and we offer them at a cost of $14,950 per arch, which is an all-inclusive price backed by our lowest price guarantee.

Anchored Dentures vs. Dental Implants: How They Really Compare

When considering dental implants versus anchored dentures, patients should be aware of several notable differences. Here are some additional factors to consider:

Comparing Your Bite: Eating and Chewing

With All-On-4 Full Arch dental implants, patients can bite, chew, and eat normally without any restrictions. In contrast, anchored dentures can limit the types of foods you can eat, and you may experience a weaker bite strength and less secure grip.

Daily Maintenance and Upkeep

Dental implants do not require any special maintenance beyond regular oral hygiene, such as brushing and seeing a dentist for cleanings. Anchored dentures, on the other hand, require removal for nightly cleaning and regular adjustments and refittings from a dentist.

Daily Cleaning Routine

One of the most significant lifestyle adjustments with anchored dentures is the daily maintenance they require. Unlike permanent implants that you care for like natural teeth, anchored dentures must be removed every single night for cleaning. This process is crucial for preventing bacterial buildup, which can lead to bad breath and other oral health issues.

Your routine should involve rinsing the dentures to wash away any loose food particles, then gently cleaning them with a soft-bristled brush and a non-abrasive denture cleaner. It’s just as important to clean your mouth, brushing your gums, tongue, and the roof of your mouth before reinserting your dentures in the morning. When they aren’t being worn, they should be kept submerged in water to prevent them from drying out.

Importance of Regular Dental Checkups

Beyond your at-home care, maintaining anchored dentures involves a partnership with your dental team. These dentures require regular professional check-ups and adjustments to ensure they continue to fit correctly and comfortably. Over time, your mouth can change, and the components of the snap-in mechanism can wear down, so these visits are not optional if you want to maintain function and comfort.

During these appointments, your dentist will also check the health of the underlying implants and your gum tissue. Consistent professional oversight is key to the longevity of your anchored dentures and the implants that support them. Having a trusted dental team you can rely on for these ongoing adjustments is an essential part of the process.

Longevity and Durability: Which Lasts Longer?

Dental implants are a permanent and highly durable solution. They are built to last and do not require replacement. Anchored dentures, on the other hand, are made with softer materials that can wear down and require replacement every 5 years, causing inconvenience and discomfort during the replacement process. Given these differences, All-On-4 Full Arch dental implants are a superior choice over anchored dentures for many patients seeking a long-lasting and hassle-free solution to missing, damaged, or failing teeth. Our practice specializes in providing All-On-4 Full Arch dental implants at a cost of $17,999 per arch (as of May 2023), backed by our lowest price guarantee.

Implants vs. Denture Durability

It’s important to understand that an anchored denture has two distinct parts with very different lifespans. The implant posts, which are the small titanium screws placed in your jaw, are designed to be permanent. With proper care, they fuse with your bone and can easily last a lifetime. The removable denture that snaps onto them, however, is not. This piece is typically made of acrylic, a material that wears down, stains, and can harbor bacteria.

Because of this, the denture itself requires replacement every five years or so. This is a major difference compared to All-On-4 full arch implants, where the entire prosthetic bridge is crafted from ultra-durable zirconia. This means the teeth won’t chip or wear down like acrylic, making the whole system a truly permanent, one-time solution.

FAQ

1. Can anchored dentures be taken out?

   Yes, the prosthetic teeth in anchored dentures are removable. Patients need to remove them every night for cleaning to prevent bacteria from growing in the porous material of the dentures. However, the screws that are anchored in the jawbone to hold the dentures in place are not removable.

2. What are the anchors in dentures?

   The “anchors” in anchored dentures are permanent screws that are surgically placed into the jawbone. These screws have abutments that protrude from the gums and serve as the anchor for the dentures to snap into place.

3. Can dentures be attached permanently?

   No, the term “permanent denture” or “permanently attached denture” is misleading. Even dentures marketed as “permanent” still need to be removed every night for cleaning. Additionally, the removable prosthetic will eventually wear down and require replacement, typically every 5 years.

4. What are the disadvantages of implant-supported (anchored) dentures?

   While anchored dentures offer improved stability and comfort, they do have some drawbacks. They require surgical placement of implants, regular cleaning and maintenance, and periodic denture replacement. They are also more expensive than traditional dentures and may not provide the permanence of full-arch fixed implants.

5. Do anchored dentures hurt or cause discomfort?

   Most patients experience minimal discomfort, especially after healing from implant placement. Anchored dentures reduce gum irritation and slipping compared to traditional dentures, making them more comfortable overall.

6. Am I a good candidate for anchored dentures?

   Ideal candidates are patients with missing teeth or failing dentures, sufficient jawbone for implant placement, and good overall oral health. Your dentist will evaluate your specific needs and recommend the best solution. Schedule a consultation online.

7. How long does the treatment process take?

   The process typically involves consultation, implant placement, healing, and denture fitting, which can take several months depending on individual healing and treatment complexity.

If you want a truly permanent solution, All-On-4 full-arch dental implants are the only option. The implants are fixed permanently to the jawbone and cannot be removed by the patient. They are made from highly durable materials like zirconia, do not require dietary restrictions, and will not interfere with speech or chewing ability.

Key Takeaways

• Understand that “anchored” doesn’t mean “fixed”: Anchored dentures have two parts: permanent implants in your jaw and a removable set of teeth. You’ll need to take out the denture portion every night for cleaning, and the entire piece requires replacement every five years or so.
• Calculate the true long-term cost: The initial investment for anchored dentures doesn’t cover future expenses. Be sure to factor in the recurring costs of replacing the denture and its attachments, plus regular dental visits for adjustments.
• Compare daily routines and durability: All-On-4 implants are a permanent, one-time solution made from durable zirconia that you care for like natural teeth. Anchored dentures involve a daily removal-and-cleaning routine and are made from softer acrylic that wears down over time.

Related Articles

• Full Mouth Implants — Dental & Implant Centers of Colorado
• Dental Implants In Denver • Dental & Implant Centers Of Colorado
• Dental Implants In Denver • Dental & Implant Centers Of Colorado
• Dental & Implant Centers of Colorado — Dentist — Colorado
• Dental Implants In Fort Collins • Dental Centers Of Colorado