Hybrid Dentures: A Win-Win Solution for Missing Teeth

When it comes to rebuilding your entire smile and replacing multiple missing teeth at once, you’ll be presented with the option of dentures or dental implants. While dentures are less invasive and less expensive, dental implants offer superior long-term function, comfort and stability. Deciding between dentures and dental implants can be a difficult decision.

At Montevallo Family Dentistry, we give patients the options to have both! Our hybrid fixed dentures allow patients to avoid the drawbacks of traditional dentures while still enjoying the affordability and quicker outcome of a denture versus dental implants.

What is a Hybrid Fixed Denture?

A hybrid fixed denture using the All-on-4 dental implant concept is a type of full-arch dental restoration that combines dental implants and a fixed prosthesis to replace a full set of missing teeth. The All-on-4 concept utilizes four dental implants strategically placed in the jawbone to support the denture. The hybrid fixed denture is a durable, non-removable prosthesis that is secured to the implants, providing stability, functionality, and an improved aesthetic appearance for individuals with multiple missing teeth or complete edentulism (tooth loss).

Avoid Common Denture Drawbacks

Traditional dentures are not for everyone. In fact, many patients become frustrated with removable dentures that fall out of place, irritate their gums and cause jaw bone loss over time.

A hybrid fixed denture addresses several common drawbacks associated with traditional removable dentures, including:

• Stability: Traditional dentures can slip or shift while speaking or eating, causing discomfort and embarrassment. A hybrid fixed denture is securely anchored to dental implants, providing stability and preventing movement or slippage.
• Chewing Efficiency: Traditional dentures may limit the ability to bite and chew certain foods properly. With a hybrid fixed denture, the dental implants act as artificial tooth roots, providing a strong foundation for biting and chewing a wide variety of foods with improved efficiency.
• Speech Impediments: Traditional dentures can sometimes affect speech, leading to difficulties in pronunciation and clarity. The stability and precise fit of a hybrid fixed denture minimize speech impediments, allowing for more natural and confident speech.
• Bone Loss Prevention: Traditional dentures do not stimulate the underlying jawbone, which can lead to bone loss over time. The placement of dental implants for a hybrid fixed denture stimulates the jawbone, helping to preserve bone density and prevent further bone resorption.
• Maintenance and Convenience: Traditional dentures require regular removal for cleaning, special adhesives, and maintenance. A hybrid fixed denture, on the other hand, functions like natural teeth and can be brushed and cleaned just like natural teeth. This simplifies daily oral hygiene routines and eliminates the need for denture adhesives or overnight soaking.

By addressing these drawbacks, a hybrid fixed denture offers enhanced comfort, stability, functionality, and overall satisfaction compared to traditional dentures.

Still Not Sure? Trust the Statistics

The All-on-4 hybrid denture concept has been proven as a patient-preferred and dentist-approved solution for replacing a full arch of missing teeth. In fact, the success and satisfaction proof is in the statistics:

• Success Rate: The All-on-4 concept has shown high success rates in clinical studies. According to research published in the Journal of Oral Implantology, the success rate of All-on-4 implants after five years is around 94.8%.
• Patient Satisfaction: Patients who have received All-on-4 hybrid dentures generally report high satisfaction levels. A study published in the International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants found that 95.7% of patients were satisfied with their implant-supported fixed dentures.
• Improved Quality of Life: All-on-4 hybrid dentures have been shown to significantly improve the quality of life for edentulous or near-edentulous patients. Studies have reported positive outcomes in terms of eating comfort, speech, and overall satisfaction with oral function and aesthetics.
• Long-term Stability: Long-term studies on All-on-4 hybrid dentures indicate favorable results in terms of stability and survival rates. Research published in the Journal of Clinical and Experimental Dentistry reported a cumulative survival rate of 95.3% for All-on-4 restorations after a mean follow-up period of 5.3 years.

It's important to note that individual outcomes may vary depending on your oral health, bone density and other factors. By scheduling a visit with Dr. Shunnarah, we can explain what you can personally expect from a hybrid fixed denture.

Whether you already have dentures that you are unhappy with or you are considering a full mouth restoration using the All-on-4 implant concept, we invite you to contact Montevallo Family Dentistry for a consultation with Dr. Shunnarah.

Posted on behalf of Montevallo Family Dentistry