Implants vs. Dentures
Patients missing many or all of their teeth need effective treatment to maintain long-term oral health, improve their quality of life, and regain a full and bright smile. Dental implants and dentures are two of the most widely used false teeth options today, but which one is right for your needs?
Why You Might Need Some Form of Tooth Replacement
Many patients don’t first realize just how important tooth replacements are. What they believe to be an elective treatment is, in fact, incredibly important to long-term oral health. Whether choosing dental implants or dentures, patients should consider the potential impact of going without either.
Exposed gums can become more susceptible to gum disease, which can lead to a serious infection. Infections are not just an oral health concern, either. Heart disease and diabetes have both been linked to gum disease, so your overall health can be at stake here as well.
If you still have some natural teeth, they can be at significant risk due to the gaps around them. The space left by the missing teeth can cause natural teeth to shift and become misaligned. Dental implants vs partial dentures can provide the necessary support to keep remaining natural teeth in line.
Finally, tooth replacements like a denture or implants drastically improve a patient’s quality of life. If you’ve lived with missing teeth for some time, you might not realize the impact they have on your ability to eat and speak naturally. Chances are that they’re also detrimental to your self-confidence. Both dental implants and dentures can greatly improve these areas.
When Are Dentures the Right Choice?
Dentures have long been the go-to option for tooth replacements. They’ve been used in some form or another for thousands of years, and modern dentures provide a wide range of benefits. Today, dentures are more comfortable and natural looking, and they can help restore your eating and speaking abilities.
One of the primary benefits of dentures compared to dental implants is the cost. Dentures are generally more affordable because they don’t require surgery. They’re still custom-made to provide the right fit and look. But being fitted for dentures is a less complex process than getting dental implants.
Dentures are usually the best choice when a patient is not a good candidate for dental implant surgery. Certain conditions could make the surgery inadvisable. For implant surgery, in particular, jaw strength and health are major factors. While bone grafts can help some patients, dental implants simply aren’t right for everyone.
If you are missing most or all of your teeth, dentures can give you a natural-looking smile and improve your ability to eat and speak. And they do this faster and more affordably than dental implants.
When Are Dental Implants the Right Choice?
Dental implants are a form of permanent tooth replacement. They involve implanting titanium posts in the jawbone to provide incredibly strong support for crowns, bridges, or full arch replacements. While the porcelain or ceramic tooth substitutes may need to be replaced in ten or fifteen years, the implant posts will remain for life.
Compared to dentures, dental implants can offer improved patient outcomes. They aren’t removable like dentures. Instead, they’re just as solid as natural teeth. This provides for the best possible eating and speaking experience. Dental implants also look incredibly natural.
One of the Most Significant Benefits of Dental Implants is Long-Term Oral Health
When they are missing most or all of their teeth, a patient’s jawbone begins to deteriorate. Dentures do little to stop this, but dental implants prevent deterioration almost as effectively as natural teeth.
Dental implants also avoid certain fit and discomfort issues associated with dentures. Even properly fitted dentures can change shape over time and become uncomfortable. Many patients will have to rely on dental adhesives to maintain the fit.
In contrast, dental implants have a solid foundation. They won’t slip or budge. This prevents both discomfort and irritation caused by moving dentures.
Finding Out Which Option Best Suits Your Needs
Every patient is different and has their own unique dental needs. This means that anyone considering a full mouth reconstruction must consult with a dentist. It’s the only way to find out for sure which treatment options are available and which would be best suited to your unique needs.
Contact Dentist Dr. Brett Langston For Implants or Dentures Treatments
The Dental Implant & Aesthetic Specialists team provides both dental implants and dentures. Dr. Brett Langston will guide you through your treatment options and help you determine the most suitable tooth replacement method.
By developing custom treatment plans for each patient, we ensure that everyone receives the personalized oral care they need. You can contact us today to schedule a consultation.