Advancements in dental technology have made surgical implant procedures silky smooth. Patients are often taken aback at how the procedures are quick and painless. Among the various teeth, replacement alternatives available are hybrid dentures.
Not only does a hybrid denture have an aesthetic appeal, but it also improves the quality of life to a more significant extent.
Going from natural teeth to an implant hybrid denture is a transition that requires utmost precision from your dentist. Even more important, you need to know what is at stake before taking the next step in finding a solution to your oral health concerns.
Let’s go through all the nitty-gritty surrounding hybrid dentures to help you determine if they are an ideal solution for you.
What Are Hybrid Dentures?
A hybrid denture is an implantable denture that compromises between a permanently affixed denture and a removable denture. Essentially, this type of denture is fixed into your mouth using a set of four dental implants titanium posts that fuse with your jaw.
The dental implants support a titanium or gold bar that anchors a set of acrylic teeth in place. The bar is permanently fixed in one place which means your dentures won’t move around and cannot be removed without the help of an implant dentist.
Why are Hybrid Dentures So Popular?
Hybrid implant dentures have become popular over recent years owing to how comfortable, attractive, and affordable they are. Moreover, they are firmly anchored in the mouth, but your dentist can easily remove them when the need arises.
Hybrid dentures solve problems related to traditional dentures such as shifting, rocking, and rubbing.
Are Hybrid Dentures Right for You?
Hybrid dentures are a great solution if you have a significant amount of bone loss in the jaw and don’t want multiple teeth removed. They offer support and stability that ensures that there won’t be any embarrassing slips while maintaining a natural look.
In addition, taking care of hybrid dentures is a breeze. With proper care, they can last long.
Pros and Cons of Hybrid Dentures
While hybrid dentures are known to have changed the dental industry, some shortcomings are still associated with them. Here are a few benefits and drawbacks of hybrid dentures to help you determine if they are right for you:
Advantages of Hybrid Dentures
- Hybrid dentures give you a complete smile, increasing your self-confidence and overall quality of life.
- Hybrid dentures don't cover your entire mouth, so the roof of your mouth and gums remain natural and feel normal. It eliminates gum irritation denture slipping while increasing your bite strength.
- They help prevent bone loss over time.
- Denture slippage, clattering, and soreness are the top complaints of denture patients. With hybrid dentures, you won't have to deal with the aches and pains that come with traditional dentures.
- Hybrid dentures are more stable due to their direct attachment to dental implants. They don't come loose or fall out when you're talking or eating.
Disadvantages of Hybrid Dentures
- Hybrid dentures are a permanent option. They're attached to your jaw using screws. This means that getting hybrid dentures involves surgery, which could also lead to the removal of natural teeth if need be.
- Implant placement does not happen in a day or two. The dental surgeon takes a minimum of 3 to 4 months to screw in the implant hybrid dentures.
- Hybrid dentures can break, chip, and get damaged, just like regular dentures. Broken dentures can accumulate food and debris, building up plaque, causing discomfort and gum disease. This requires regular dentist visits, but you can always arm yourself with a denture repair kit.
- While some dental insurance providers cover hybrid dentures, a complete set of dentures can cost upwards of thousands of dollars without insurance.
If hybrid dentures do not appeal to you, there are other options that you can look into. For instance, you can have a look at our dental bridge vs dentures review to enable you to get a glimpse of the alternatives.
How Much Do Hybrid Dentures Cost?
A complete set of custom implant-supported dentures can cost anywhere between $1,500 and $10,000.
Nevertheless, hybrid denture cost is not as expensive as many people assume. The cost varies greatly depending on the region, doctor’s training, implant type, number of implants, and material used for the final restoration.
Wondering how much dentures cost with insurance?
Some insurance companies will cover up to 50%, while others may cover less or nothing at all. Therefore, it is essential to check with your insurance provider to confirm how much of the cost of the dentures will be covered.
Reasons to Choose A Hybrid Denture
1- Hybrid Dentures are Fixed
Hybrid dentures are a permanent option. The titanium post driven into your jaw encourages bone growth and gives more structure to your face.
2- It brings back your smile
Hybrid dentures can be made less bulky, making it easier to adapt to dentures. This helps you achieve an attractive youthful appearance. They improve the way your smile looks, and it is evident when comparing before and after hybrid denture pictures of previous patients.
3- Hybrid Dentures are Affordable
Dental care does not have to be expensive. Instead, it’s all about value for your money. Hybrid implant denture provides an affordable option for patients looking to replace multiple teeth.
4- Easy maintenance
Like natural teeth, you need to know how to take care of your dentures. Hybrid dentures don’t need much hassle. Regular brushing and flossing will keep them healthy and prevent gum disease.
5- Better chewing
It takes a while to get the hang of chewing with regular dentures, as well as the constant worry not to damage them, and with a fixed hybrid denture, worrying about damaging your teeth while eating becomes a thing of the past. On the contrary, it improves your biting force, giving you more food options to take in.
Conclusion
Denture technology continues to advance, with more alternatives, affordable prices, and improved overall function.
Hybrid dentures are an investment for your long-term well-being. They allow for a better quality of life, confidence, and the same care one would give to their natural teeth. Nevertheless, it is essential to discuss your options with a qualified dentist to discover which type of tooth replacement method is right for you.
