Is it worth the money even if it's expensive? Sometimes dentures are better than implants.

July 1st is "Denture Day." It was established to commemorate the day in 2012 when dental insurance coverage for dentures was first applied to seniors aged 75 and older. Subsequently, on the same date in 2016, the insurance coverage age was expanded to include those aged 65 and older.

As average life expectancy increases, the need to maintain natural teeth for a longer period has grown. Even if you take good care of your teeth regularly, they can still become diseased due to various illnesses and aging. If you're unsure whether to choose dentures or implants, let's first understand the advantages and disadvantages of each.

According to the big data from the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, the top medical expenses for the elderly after age 65 are dentures and implants. Professor Baek Jang-hyun of the Department of Prosthodontics at Kyunghee University Dental Hospital stated, "Implants and dentures, which are considered representative artificial teeth, are among the dental treatments that everyone naturally considers as they age," and added, "While there may be influences from diseases or trauma, as people get older, the function of the gums naturally weakens, and natural teeth can no longer perform their roles."

The timing for considering the use of implants and dentures is based on when the molars fall out. Although it varies from person to person, molars tend to start disappearing as early as their 60s, and when 70% are lost, the remaining teeth are reduced by about half. When molars are lost and space is created in the mouth, teeth can shift sideways, so prompt treatment is recommended. Professor Baek Jang-hyun said, "If patients have severe diabetes or osteoporosis, or if the gum bone has been lost, limiting the condition of the gums, implant treatment may be restricted," and added, "Once a tooth is lost, the quality of life drops sharply, so rather than insisting solely on implants, consider dentures as a new alternative."

There are complete dentures, partial dentures, and implant dentures. When there are no teeth at all, complete dentures are used; if there are still strong teeth remaining that can support a denture, partial dentures are performed. Generally, partial dentures have better retention than complete dentures and are more convenient to use. However, partial dentures replace only a part of the teeth, so if natural teeth develop cavities, they need to be remade, requiring careful maintenance.

Professor Baek Jang-hyun said, "Implant dentures are a treatment method that involves placing additional implants to help secure the denture," and added, "They can be applied regardless of the presence of natural teeth and have the advantage of being more comfortable to use compared to traditional dentures. However, they also have disadvantages such as the burden of surgery, high treatment costs, and a longer treatment period."

Dentures require an adaptation period. Gums are soft and fragile, while dentures have a bulky feel that can cause a foreign body sensation. Additionally, since prosthetic devices are worn inside the mouth, discomfort such as ▲gum pain, ▲loose dentures, and ▲a feeling of tightness can inevitably occur. Gum pain is caused by rubbing against the dentures. This is a very common symptom that appears during the initial period of wearing them, and visiting the dentist for adjustments and repairs can improve the situation. However, complete dentures may have certain limitations. If gum pain occurs while wearing full dentures, options include implant placement to help secure the dentures or using denture adhesives.

However, if dentures are not worn for a long time due to discomfort, the condition of the mouth may change, causing the dentures to no longer fit properly. Professor Baek said, "This can lead to decreased chewing function, which may affect other diseases," and added, "Even if there is no discomfort, artificial teeth, unlike natural teeth, are prone to wear and tear, and changes in the jawbone can affect the gums. Therefore, it is recommended to visit the dentist regularly every six months."

The lifespan of dentures is generally known to be about 7 to 8 years. This is when proper maintenance is practiced. The most important thing is cleaning. Just like brushing your teeth daily, dentures should also be cleaned thoroughly. However, it is recommended to use dish soap or a denture-specific cleaner rather than toothpaste. The ingredients in toothpaste can cause wear on the dentures.

Professor Baek said, "Frequently removing dentures is not good, but if they are worn for long periods, such as during sleep, it can negatively affect the gums. It's better to remove the dentures during sleep and massage the gums with your hand to give them a rest." He also added, "To disinfect dentures, do not store or boil them in hot water as it can cause deformation; always wash them with cold water."