As far as historians can tell, the first dentures were used around 700 BC. From animal teeth, to human teeth, to dentures made of ivory, to acrylic, dentures have never been comfortable, healthy, or pretty. Yet, even in the 21st century, about 1 in 5 Americans over the age of 40 still wear dentures.
Ask any denture wearer and they’ll tell you, they don’t like dentures. Why? First, they are embarrassing. Dentures can click while eating, can slur speech, can fall out unexpectedly, and don’t look natural.
Second, dentures are uncomfortable. They cause sores on the gums, may require glue to stay in place, food getting trapped underneath can be very painful. Not to mention, a lot of foods can’t be eaten very easily or at all with dentures. Most denture wearers don’t eat apples, steaks, or hamburgers, to name a few.
Third, dentures require a lot of maintenance. They need to be removed every night and soaked and brushed. They also may require glue to stay in place during the day. Cleaning the glues is a time consuming process in and of itself.
Fourth, they are unhealthy. Because of the difficulty with eating, many denture wearers become malnourished. Dentures can also cause jaw pain because if they don’t fit properly it can affect the bite, leading to changing the jaw joint. This can result in joint pain, headaches, pain in the neck and/or facial muscles, sometimes severely enough to impact day-to-day living. Worst of all, dentures actually cause deterioration of the jaw bone.
Why are they so popular?
Considering all of the problems associated with dentures. Why are they so popular? Dr Randy Roberts, DDS, from Smile Clinic explains, “Dentures have been around for so long, that people just think that’s what you do when you are losing your teeth. Many people don’t know that there are much better options available.”
One of the permanent options is the All on 4 procedure, which became popular in the 90s. The All on 4 solves a lot of the problems that come from dentures, but has its own drawbacks. All on 4 permanent dentures don’t need to be removed nightly for cleaning, support good bone health, and allow wearers to eat more easily. However, it is still a large uncomfortable prosthetic, with an artificial gum line. It is also expensive to purchase, and expensive to maintain, requiring removal by a dentist for cleanings every 6 months or annually.
The 3 on 6 Procedure
Dr Roberts is one of the leading innovators in dental technology, and the inventor of a procedure called the 3 on 6, as a permanent, implant supported alternative to dentures and the All on 4. He continued, “Dentures really are old technology. They are typewriters. We’re not buying typewriters any more, even though they’re cheaper. We shouldn’t be wearing dentures. They are unhealthy.”
The 3 on 6 was developed in 2014 as a permanent full mouth restoration alternative to dentures and the All on 4. Aiming to provide a healthier, and more affordable option, Dr Roberts feels like it has hit the mark. He explains “the 3 on 6 is only replacing missing teeth, and therefore, it feels like you have your real teeth in your mouth, not a large acrylic hockey puck, like the All on 4.”
“The 3 on 6 is only replacing missing teeth, and therefore, it feels like you have your real teeth in your mouth, not a large acrylic hockey puck”
Some of the benefits of the 3 on 6 are simplified do-it-yourself maintenance, maintained oral and bone health, and a completely natural look and feel. According to Dr Roberts, “The benefits that you put on a list can’t even compare to how people feel with a brand new, beautiful set of teeth. I’ve had many patients in tears, come back and tell me how the 3 on 6 has changed their life. Their confidence, their relationships, their jobs, it affects everything.”
To see if you qualify for the 3 on 6 procedure, and find out if it’s right for you, Smile Systems has a network of licensed offices that offer free consultations with a doctor for new patients, including x-ray. You can call 888-877-5790, to get started or click HERE to request a free consultation.