Dental Implants vs. Dentures

So, you’ve got gaps in your smile where you have missing teeth. This isn’t uncommon. In fact, most American adults will lose a permanent tooth by the age of 35. There can be several reasons why you no longer have your natural teeth. Perhaps you suffered a trauma to the mouth that damaged them beyond repair or knocked them out. Or maybe you’ve had severe gum disease or decay that has compromised the integrity of your teeth and caused them to fall out or need to be extracted. Whatever the cause behind your tooth loss, you are undoubtedly looking at the options available for restoring them.

Dental implants and dentures are two of the most effective solutions for replacing missing teeth and restoring the function and appearance of your smile. To help you decide which is right for you, here’s what you need to know about each of these popular dental treatments.

 

About Dental Implants

Dental implants are one of the newest methods of replacing missing teeth. They have a unique and innovative design that sees both the root of the missing tooth replaced, as well as the visible part above the gum line. The artificial root is created from a titanium post, which is inserted into the bone of the jaw, normally below where the missing tooth would be. This placement is surgical, carried out by drilling a hole through the gum and into the bone. Once the titanium post is inserted, the bone will heal around it to anchor it permanently into the jaw. A small section of the post extends through the gum and it is to this that the visible part of the tooth is attached. This is made from a porcelain crown that has been custom-designed in the shape, color, and size needed to blend in perfectly with your existing teeth.

The process of bone healing around the post is called osseointegration. It can take several months for osseointegration to take place. During this time, most patients are fitted with a generic, temporary restoration. Since implant technology can be used to replace single, multiple or an entire arch of teeth, this restoration could be a crown, bridge or denture. Single implants are placed onto single implant posts, whilst bridges are supported on two. Dentures can be placed onto anywhere between four and eight implant posts depending on the circumstances.

Key Benefits of Dental Implants

• They are more stable than conventional restorations such as bridges and dentures

• They are permanent

• The implant posts stimulate the bone of the jaw so that it remains healthy and deterioration doesn’t occur

• Implants are considered to look more like natural teeth than any other solution

• You can brush and floss your teeth just like normal

• This helps you to have better oral hygiene

• There is usually very little maintenance required

• With the right care, dental implants last longer than any other restoration
  
   

About Dentures

Most people have heard of dentures, although they may associate them with their old, uncomfortable and insecure design. Modern dentures have evolved considerably, and today, they are now more natural-looking, comfortable and stable than before. Dentures contain a series of artificial teeth that have been designed specifically to replicate your natural smile. These are placed into a mold that is worn over the top of the gums and secured using special adhesive. You wear them during the day and then pop them out at night so that they can be cleaned by placing them into a special solution. They are available in full and partial varieties. Full dentures that are placed into the lower arch have a mold that is horseshoe-shaped. However, a denture for the upper arch will be attached to a plate that covers the roof of the mouth, giving the device extra stability.
 

Key Benefits of Dentures

• They are more affordable than dental implants

• They can be removed should the need arise, and should be removed for cleaning

• You don’t need any invasive dental treatment

• The process of receiving dentures is painless, though they may be uncomfortable when you first start to wear them

• They are suitable for patients who have poor density bone in their jaw and are unable to have dental implants

If you would like more information about the differences between dental implants and dentures, our expert dental team would be happy to help clarify these solutions. Please contact our offices today.