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Dentures or Dental Implants? How to Decide

 

Losing a tooth can be a stressful and disheartening experience; presumably, a mix of emotions are involved and that’s very understandable.

Thankfully, with the advancements in modern dentistry, getting that confident smile back is easier (and faster) than you think. Essentially there are two quality restoration options available to patients to replace any sort of tooth loss. The two predominantly performed by Dentists and Periodontists, are Dentures and Dental Implants.

Due to the fact that these options vary considerably and have their own benefits, it can be difficult knowing how to go about choosing what’s best for you, as a patient.

Below we’ll take a look at what each solution is exactly, and review some important factors to understand in considering either method.

Dentures

Dentures are basically removable teeth; they replace any missing teeth and sometimes part of the gum tissue. They are designed with an acrylic base to support the denture teeth and in some instances have a lightweight metal framework added, for improved strength.

Patients can choose from partial or complete dentures depending on their unique needs and the condition of the mouth. Partial dentures are exactly what they sound like; used to fill in the gaps where there are one or several missing teeth. These dentures are used in combination with any existing natural teeth still remaining, and they are supported by clasps around existing teeth. Complete dentures, on the other hand, are situated directly on the gumline and used to replace all teeth in the upper or lower jaw.

Benefits of Dentures:

  • Dentures are less costly than implants.
  • Fitting dentures is a non-invasive procedure and doesn’t require any drilling into the bone, such as what is carried out with implants.
  • The process to make dentures is fairly quick, and requires approximately four dental visits.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants replicate the root of a natural tooth and look very similar in appearance. While the process is more involved and requires several steps, these can be used to replace one or multiple teeth, and are designed to be a permanent solution for patients. A titanium post is initially inserted into the jawbone which then establishes an anchor that will later hold the replacement tooth.

Benefits of  Dental Implants

Dentures provide a great tooth replacement method that is appropriate for many patients, but with access to industry-leading quality materials, and advanced technology, we now have an advanced solution that may be more preferable; dental implants.

Let’s review some key benefits:

  • Dental implants are incredibly successful and provide a long-term solution,  lasting up to 20 years or more
  • Dental implants are very easy to care for as regular teeth.
  • Implants preserve the integrity of your jawbones and facial structure.
  • Dental implants help to prevent bone loss and gum recession which is a common issue with dentures.
  • Because of their exceedingly high quality and stability, implants restore approximately 90 percent of your chewing function, unlike dentures which restore roughly 20 percent.
  • Your teeth will appear completely natural with dental implants. Once the healing process is complete, a restoration like a crown or bridge will be customized to blend effortlessly with your smile.

What to Consider When Choosing Dental Implants vs Dentures

Here are some other factors to consider when deciding between dental implants and dentures:

  • Durability: When dental implants are properly cared for, they will last years if not a lifetime. With that in mind, patients shouldn’t be faced with ongoing replacement costs that are usually frequent with dentures due to their design.
  • Oral Health:  The process of chewing involves mouth stimulation which directly impacts bone preservation, preventing gum tissue from shrinking. Healthy gums reduce your chances of losing more teeth! Dentures lack this benefit and if fitted improperly, they can even negatively affect bone structure risking future bone loss.
  • Oral Hygiene: Dentures require meticulous cleaning on a regular routine, whereas implants can be successfully maintained with proper brushing and flossing, as you would with natural teeth.
  • Enhanced Appearance: Implants appear and function very much like natural teeth, unlike dentures that may appear more artificial and feel bulky.

Prior to choosing your method of tooth restoration, we highly encourage you to consult a Periodontist, so you can make an informed decision you feel confident about. After all, your oral health is of utmost importance and deserves quality care from a trusted professional, who specializes in this form of dentistry.

Dr. Schwimer offers state-of-the-art Implant treatments with a personalized and caring approach. Please reach out to arrange a consultation, where we can learn more about your condition, answer any questions and discuss the next steps. We are happy to go over the specifics of implant surgery, what to expect, as well as address fees and insurance at this time.

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