Dentures vs. Implants
If you are missing one or more of your natural teeth, you may be curious about your dental replacement options and researching your choices.Two common options for replacing one or more missing teeth are dentures and dental implants, and each type of dental restoration has its own pros and cons.Some dental restorations depend on the health of the jawbone and any remaining natural teeth, and patient preference and budget can also affect their choices.You and your dentist can work closely together to determine which dental restoration option is best for you, with choices like dentures, dental implants, and alternative options like dental bridges.Whichever restoration option you choose, your new set of teeth can help improve your ability to chew, thereby improving your nutrition and overall health, and they can help improve your speech, support the muscles of your face, and improve the appearance of your smile, which can help increase confidence and self-esteem.While any restoration can provide these benefits, pros and cons of each type may affect your decision and should be considered.
The procedure for placing implants is significantly different from the procedure for fitting and providing dentures.Dental implants, which have grown increasingly popular in recent years, require a surgical procedure for placement, which can be daunting for some people.It is also important for the patient to have a sufficient amount of bone to support dental implants, and, when there isn’t sufficient healthy bone, a separate bone graft procedure may be necessary, which means that the procedure can require multiple surgeries.Dental implants are small cylinders, usually made of titanium, that are surgically placed into the jawbone and then topped with dental crowns once they have healed.To place an implant, a dental professional will remove any damaged tooth roots that remain in the mouth and then prepare the jaw for implants by drilling a small hole where the root was.Once the bone is prepared, an implant post is implanted where the root was, reaching deep into the bone.The bone is then given time to heal, which can take several months.As the bone heals, it fuses to the implant post, creating a sturdy, stable root for the dental crown that will be placed after healing.Once healing is complete, the attachment that holds the crown is affixed to the top of the implant, and then the dental crown is placed in the attachment.These dental crowns can be crafted to match the remaining natural teeth in color and shape and can restore the smile to its original state.
Dentures, on the other hand, are prosthetic teeth that can be removed and can also be placed in patients with less healthy bone; no bone grafts or other types of surgery are required.Dentures can be complete dentures, which replace entire rows of teeth, or they can be partial dentures, which replace just a few missing teeth.To make dentures that will fit the patient properly, the dentist first takes an impression of the gums where the teeth are missing and also takes measurements of the bite and alignment of the jaws, to ensure that the dentures will fit correctly in the mouth and allow the patient to speak clearly and chew properly and comfortably.Lab technicians will use these measurements to make a mock-up set of dentures that can be fitted more precisely, and measurements will be adjusted accordingly before the final set of dentures is made.Dentures are made of material that is intended to closely resemble natural teeth and gum tissue, and they are held in place with denture adhesive that affixes them to the gums.
For many people, cost is a factor that must be considered when choosing dental replacements.Dental implants are more expensive than other types of dental restorations; implants generally range in price from about $1,500 to $2,200 per tooth.In contrast, a complete set of upper or lower dentures has an average cost of about $1,600 for an entire row of teeth.Many people find the convenience of dental implants to be worth the higher cost; caring for implants is very similar to caring for the natural teeth, while dentures require more attention.Dental implants can, and should, be brushed and flossed daily, just like the natural teeth, and they should also be checked and cleaned regularly by a dental professional, again, just like the natural teeth.Dentures, on the other hand, should be removed at the end of each day and soaked overnight, either in water or in a soaking solution, to keep them clean and supple and help them maintain their appearance.They are also removed for cleaning and should be cleaned after every meal, and the gum tissue should be cleaned as part of the process. Dentures also need to be refitted periodically as the shape of the bone and alignment of the bite changes, while dental implants are designed to be permanent and only require additional attention if a crown breaks or cracks; in these cases, the implant remains in the bone, and only the crown is replaced.
Dental implants are generally safe and highly effective, though there are some risks of complications, including infection or problems with the implants themselves.These complications are rare, but they do occur.The most common complications with dentures include dentures loosening and slipping, which can interfere with eating and speaking and which can also cause discomfort; friction from ill-fitting dentures can also lead to painful sores on the gums.Because the shape of the jaw changes over time, particularly when there are no teeth or tooth roots present in the bone, it is not unusual for dentures to loosen and slip, and these complications are more common than those associated with dental implants.In a consultation with your dentist, take into consideration such important factors as age, overall health, bone density, budget, preference, lifestyle, and expectations, and together, you can make an informed decision about which dental restoration option is the most suitable for you.