Anchored dentures are a choice for patients who are struggling with several damaged, failing, or missing teeth. Patients may choose anchored over traditional dentures, since the anchored option provides better grip and better bite strength.
If patients are considering anchored dentures, they’ve likely looked into permanent dental implant solutions such as 4-on-1 full arch as an alternative solution, too. Let’s take a look at exactly what anchored dentures are, their benefits and drawbacks, and how they compare to traditional dentures as well as 4-on-1 full arch dental implants.
What Are Anchored Dentures?
Anchored dentures (often called snap-in dentures, snap-on dentures, overdentures, or permanent dentures) are a two-part device that helps to restore normal function to your mouth. The first part is a permanent screw (or implant) that is permanently fixed to your jawbone. The second is fake teeth, which can be removed.
While the screws that are placed into your jawbone are permanent, the fake teeth of anchored dentures are not. As with all dentures, you will need to remove them every night for cleaning, and you will need to replace your fake teeth around every 5 years. This is true of all dentures, whether you have traditional dentures, partial dentures, or anchored dentures.
Difference Between Anchored Dentures and Traditional Dentures
While traditional dentures and anchored dentures may seem dissimilar at a glance, the only thing they differ in is how they attach to your gums. Traditional dentures rely on adhesives to stay in place in your mouth, which means they won’t provide the grip or the bite strength that anchored dentures will. Anchored dentures, as we mentioned, snap onto permanent connectors that are embedded into your jaw. This provides a bit more support and come with a much higher price point.
That said, both anchored dentures and traditional dentures are made of soft acrylic material that can be easily damaged, which comes with many dietary restrictions necessary (no hard food, no crunchy food, etc.). They both also need to be removed nightly for cleaning, so bacteria and bad smells won’t build up. They will also need to be replaced around every 5 years.
Compared to 4 on 1 full arch
4-on-1 Full Arch dental implants (often called full-arch dental implants, full-mouth dental implants, or teeth-in-a-day), are permanent, fixed dental implants made from zirconia. oth traditional and anchored dentures have significant drawbacks when compared to 4-on-1 full arch implants. Both need to be cleaned nightly, both are prone to harboring bacteria that create terrible smells, both will come with dietary restrictions, and both will impact your ability to speak clearly.
Cost is another benefit that 4-on-1 full arch dental implants have over dentures. Through our offices, patients can get 4-on-1 full arch dental implants for $14,950 per row of teeth. The initial cost of anchored dentures often start around that same price point, but will need replacement around every 5 years (where you will be responsible for the cost).
4-on-1 Full Arch dental implants have none of these drawbacks, and do not need to be replaced over time, which is a reason why patients often choose an 4-on-1 full arch procedure when they fully understand the true cost of anchored dentures.
Pros and Cons of Anchored & Traditional Dentures
There are several reasons why a patient would choose anchored dentures over traditional dentures, or vice versa. Here are some more specific pros and cons of each kind of denture style:
Pros of Anchored Dentures
Anchored dentures are more securely fastened to your mouth because of the permanent abutments in your jawbone. While you’ll still have strict dietary restrictions, it will be easier to enjoy the foods that you can eat because of the tighter fit that anchored dentures have compared to traditional dentures. However, you should remember that both anchored and traditional dentures pale in comparison to fit and dietary freedom that 4-on-1 full arch dental implants provide.
Cons of Anchored Dentures
Anchored dentures aren’t without their faults. For starters, they are far more expensive than traditional dentures. Depending on where you get them, they can be tens of thousands of dollars more expensive. Many patients don’t choose anchored dentures simply because they’re not an option financially. The average cost for anchored dentures is $8,000 – $12,000 for each row of teeth; replacement teeth cost around $2,500-$5,000/arch, which is needed every 5 years
Just like traditional dentures, anchored dentures are also extremely bulky. They will interfere with your ability to speak naturally, and they will limit what foods you can eat. Anchored dentures also need to be removed nightly for cleaning, since they are made from porous acrylic material, which harbors bad smelling bacteria. 4-on-1 Full Arch dental implants are made from zirconia, which does not harbor bad smells.
Finally, as with any denture, anchored dentures aren’t permanent. You’ll need to budget and plan on scheduled replacements, usually every five years, in addition to the refittings required for new prosthetics. Replacement teeth for anchored dentures have an average cost of $2,500 – $5,000 per arch. So, if you have a full mouth of anchored dentures, you could be paying $16,000 – $24,000 upfront, and then upwards of $10,000 every five years.
Pros of Traditional Dentures
Traditional dentures are less expensive than anchored dentures. Aside from that, traditional dentures don’t really offer significant benefits, especially when compared to anchored dentures.
Cons of Traditional Dentures
Traditional dentures have a lot of disadvantages for patients. Since they stay in place with adhesives, they are prone to slip and move around, which can make eating and speaking more difficult. Like anchored dentures, they also need to be cleaned nightly, are prone to terrible smells, and come with dietary restrictions.
As with anchored dentures, traditional dentures won’t last forever. You’ll have to replace them around every five years, and you’ll need to make sure you have a budget plan in place to pay for them.
Dental Implants vs Anchored Dentures
While patients might think 4-on-1 Full Arch dental implants and anchored dentures are interchangeable, hey differ vastly in their functionality and benefits. Let’s take a look at how these two potential dental solutions compare.
Are They The Same?
No. 4-on-1 Full Arch dental implants and anchored dentures are unique products with different procedures, materials, and outcomes. 4-on-1 Full Arch dental implants are a permanent, fixed solution to missing, damaged, or failing teeth. They require surgery to be placed, and when your mouth is healed, they will look, feel, and function like normal, healthy teeth. The teeth used in 4-on-1 Full Arch dental implants are made from zirconia, which is a durable, white material that won’t need special cleaning and won’t end up smelling poorly like acrylic does. As such, the teeth do not need to be replaced over time and can last a lifetime given proper dental hygiene practice.
Anchored dentures are not permanent. They are just a type of dentures, where the dentures snaps onto connectors that are permanently attached to your jawbones. However, the prosthetic teeth (dentures) themselves are made of the same material as traditional dentures and need to be replaced every 5 years (which is a cost that you have to budget for). Anchored dentures also require regular adjustments to make sure your bite is comfortable and aligned, and that your fake teeth are snapping in tightly.
If patients are choosing between all-on- 4 or anchored dentures, 4-on-1 full arch are always the superior choice to anchored dentures. Given their many benefits, we specialize in 4-on-1 full arch and are providing at the cost of $14,950 per arch, which is an all-inclusive price that is backed by our lowest price guarantee.
Differences Between Dental Implants & Anchored Dentures
There are numerous differences between dental implants and anchored dentures aside from what we just mentioned. Below, you’ll find some more notable differences that patients should consider:
Biting, Chewing, & Eating
4-on-1 Full Arch dental implants allow patients to bite and chew as they would with their natural teeth. There are no dietary restrictions with dental implants, no bulky abutments, and no loss of grip or slippage. Anchored dentures will have severe restrictions on the foods you can enjoy (no crunchy food, no sticky food, no chewy food, etc.), and your bite strength and comfort will never be as strong or secure as they would be with dental implants.
Maintenance
4-on-1 Full Arch dental implants don’t have special maintenance requirements. As long as you follow normal oral hygiene, like using a mouth rinse, daily brushing, and seeing a dentist for regular cleanings, dental implants will last forever without any additional maintenance.
Anchored dentures require several types of special maintenance. Your fake teeth will need to be removed nightly for cleaning, and you will need to regularly see your dentist for adjustments and refittings.
Durability and Longevity
4-on-1 Full Arch dental implants are permanent, which means they are very durable and built to last. There simply isn’t an option that is as durable or as long-lasting as dental implants. Anchored dentures are made with acrylic, which is a soft material that is prone to being damaged and wearing down.
Anchored dentures must be replaced over time. While the screws in your jawbone are permanent, your prosthetic teeth will need to be replaced every 5 years. While you’re leading up to replacement, you may have to struggle with a damaged prosthetic.
FAQs
1. Are anchored dentures removable?
Yes. The prosthetic teeth in anchored dentures are removable. You will need to remove them every night for cleaning to keep foul-smelling bacteria from growing in the porous material your fake teeth are made from. The screws in your jaw that hold your fake teeth in place arenotremovable.
2. What are anchors on dentures?
The “anchors” on anchored dentures are permanent screws that are placed into your jawbone. These screws have abutments that show on top of your gums that will serve as the “anchor” for your fake teeth to snap into.
3. Can dentures be permanently attached?
No. The term “permanent denture” or even permanent attachment is a bit of a misnomer. Even “permanent” dentures need to be removed nightly for cleaning, and that removable prosthetic will eventually wear down and need to be replaced (which is usually every 5 years).
If you want a truly “permanent” solution, then 4-on-1 full arch dental implants are your only option. Your teeth will be permanently fixed to your jaw (you cannot remove them on your own), and the teeth will never need to be replaced, unlike dentures. implants are made from highly durable materials, like zirconia, don’t require dietary restrictions, and won’t interfere with your speech or ability to chew and eat.
