Dentures Vs. Implants, What Should Be Your Choice?

Missing teeth can make you look less attractive and older. They can cause difficulty and discomfort in eating certain foods, leading to malnutrition. When not replaced sooner, missing teeth can lead to jawbone deterioration and shifting of the adjacent teeth. To prevent these issues, dentists always recommend replacing lost teeth immediately.

When considering tooth replacement treatments, you have three major options: dental implants, bridges, or dentures. Choosing the right treatment depends on several factors, like the number of lost teeth, budget, oral health, preferences, needs, and more. Our dentist in Somerset can help you decide which treatment suits you the best.

In this article, let’s focus on dental implants and dentures. While both treatments come with specific advantages and disadvantages, they both close teeth gaps and ultimately provide the following benefits:

• Improve your oral appearance
• Improve bite function
• Improve speech
• Improve self-esteem and confidence
• Support facial muscles to prevent facial sagging, wrinkles, and premature aging

Dental Implants Vs. Dentures: Factors to Consider

• Procedure

Dental Implant Procedure

A dental implant consists of three parts: the implant post, abutment, and restoration crown. The implant post is surgically implanted into the jawbone to replace the root of the missing teeth. The jawbone heals around the implant in about 3 – 6 months. This process is called osseointegration.

Once the implant and the bone fuse completely, the dentist will place an abutment – it connects the implant post to the restoration crowns. Lastly, a restoration crown is attached to the abutment to act like an artificial tooth. The crown gives the implant the size, shape, and color of natural teeth. Once placed, only a dentist or surgeon can remove the implant.

You must have healthy and sufficient jawbone density to support a dental implant. Otherwise, the implant might fail. You can get a bone graft to rebuild the bone and qualify for dental implants or consider dentures or bridges. Visit our dental clinic for dental implants near you.

Dentures Procedure

A denture is a dental prosthesis with artificial teeth and gums used to replace a few or all missing teeth. The dentist will make impressions of your teeth, gums, and other records and send them to a dental lab to produce customized dentures. They will send it back to the dentist when ready. The dentist will show you how to use them. Dentures look like real teeth and gums. They are worn over the natural teeth (if any), gums, and bone and are supported with adhesives. Dentures are removable and can be placed regardless of how much bone density is available.

• Cost

Since implants require surgery and can last for a lifetime, they are more expensive than other treatments like dentures and bridges. The ADA reports that a single implant can cost about $1,600 – $2,200. Dentures are less costly, with a complete set of teeth on either jaw costing a little higher than $1,600.

• Maintenance

Since a dental implant functions like a natural tooth, it only requires standard dental care like the rest of your teeth. It means brushing twice daily, flossing daily, avoiding damaging habits, and routine dental exams and cleanings.

Dentures require more effort to maintain. For instance, you must remove them when sleeping, clean them, and sometimes soak them overnight. You must also clean your teeth every time after removing the dentures. Because your bite changes over time, dentures need to be re-adjusted or replaced from time to time.

• Function and appearance

Since a dental implant mimics natural teeth, it provides a natural feeling, function, and appearance. Since the jawbone supports it, it provides excellent comfort and bite function compared to other treatments.

Since dentures rest over the mouth, they provide less stability, comfort, and natural appearance than implants. They can easily break or dislodge when exposed to higher chewing forces.

• Complications

Since dental implants require surgery to fix, they present a range of serious complications, such as infections that can require further surgical treatments. Dentures have less severe complications like dislodging, irritation, or sores on the gums.

Final Verdict

Do you need help deciding between dental implants and dentures in Somerset? Contact KK Dental – Somerset for more information.