Implanting a denture is done by attaching the appliance to the lower jaw and affixing it in place with screws. This can be an inexpensive, effective alternative to dental implants. A cheap denture might be inferior because they are usually made from resin, which is not as strong as that of dental implants and will wear down much faster. With implant dentistry, no metal nor screws are used. Instead, a procedure called osseointegration is used to attach the implant to the jawbone. This process helps to increase the longevity of both the implant and replacement teeth, such as a bridge or denture.
What is a Dental Implant?
Dental implants are ground up titanium or other metals disks that are surgically placed into the jawbone to hold dentures in place. The metal disks are around half an inch in diameter and less than 1/8 of an inch thick. After the disk is implanted, it bonds with the jawbone and becomes a living part of your body. Implants can last a lifetime, but that depends on proper dental hygiene.
The Problems with Cheap Dental Implants
Cheap dental implants are made from plastic resin and are inferior to dental implants used in denture-supported prosthetics. The reason cheap dental implants are inferior is that they are: less expensive, less durable, prone to infection and complicated to insert. Cheap dental implants last for one or two years at most. The material used to manufacture them is weak and the screws need to be tightened now and then. Tightening can be painful and can also cause infection if anaesthesia is not used.
Treatment with cheap dental implants is often complicated because of the need for additional surgery and other procedures in order to remove them. Cheap dental implants are also more prone to infection compared to dental implants made from titanium. This is because the latter is stronger and has natural antibacterial properties.
Contrasting Cheap Implants with Dental Implants
Dental implants first hit the medical scene in 1964 when an oral surgeon named Branemark tried using a tooth-shaped fixture that was attached to the upper jawbone. The fixture was made of titanium and could hold up to four prosthetic teeth. Since then, dental implant technology has improved. Today, there are various types of dental implants that can replace missing teeth or can be used as part of a replacement denture. Implant-supported prosthetics are a supportive device that holds dentures in place and are not removable or removable with braces or other appliances. The implants prevent the pressure from the denture or dentures against itself.