ALBION AUG23 –
Dentures vs. Dental Implants – Which Is Right for You?
In the United States, approximately 120 million people are missing at least one tooth.¹ Losing one or more teeth can impact your bite, but thankfully, there are excellent options to help you replace the missing teeth. Two of the most popular options are dentures and dental implants, but which is the one that best suits your needs? Deciding on dentures vs. dental implants can impact your jaw health as well as your bite, so considering your individual needs is essential.
Dentures: Classic Options for Missing Teeth
When most people think of how to fix missing teeth, dentures are probably the first solution that comes to mind. Dentures are oral appliances that can be fixed or removable, and they can help people who have lost more than one tooth. They can replace teeth both in your upper and lower jaws.
Dentures come in many different types of materials, including:
- Metal
- Porcelain
- Acrylic
- Nylon
- Resin
Dentists may offer various types of dentures, letting you get the exact results you want.
Full dentures can replace an entire arch of teeth. They sit on your gums and rely on your palate or your lower jawbone to stay in place. In some instances, these dentures also require denture adhesives to keep them in place.
Partial dentures are a good choice for those who still have some remaining teeth. They are similar to full dentures because they rely on your palate and jawbone, but they also have clasps that can grab onto your remaining teeth.
Implant-retained dentures snap onto dental implants, making them more stable and helping you avoid dealing with adhesives.
Advantages and Drawbacks of Dentures
Dentures tend to be affordable options, especially for people who have lost a lot of teeth or who don’t have any teeth left at all. They are also easy to use, with some not even requiring that you use adhesives to keep them in place.
Removable dentures can have some drawbacks, however. They can shift around, even if you use adhesives, which can be an issue for some people. You also have food restrictions to consider when you have dentures. You can’t eat sticky or very hard foods because the dentures can come loose.
Another concern is that dentures do nothing to prevent jaw bone loss. Your jaw depends on the stimulation it receives from the roots of your teeth to keep making bone cells. When you lose a tooth, that stimulation is no longer there, and bone loss in the jaw can occur.
Dentures can also cause sores and irritation if they do not fit properly. Many people feel discomfort when using dentures for this reason.
Dentures also require regular adjustments, which you may not want to have to deal with.
Dental Implants: The Latest Option for Missing Teeth or a Single Tooth
Dental implants consist of metal screws that are surgically implanted into your jaw and hold a replacement tooth in place. Most dental implants are made of titanium, and the replacement tooth looks like a dental crown that fits on top of the abutment, which attaches to the implant screw. Dental implants are permanent options that look even more natural than dentures.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Dental Implants
Because dental implants function as the roots of your teeth, they can stimulate your jaw bone, allowing new cells to form and preventing bone loss. They are also much more stable than dentures, letting you eat the foods that you like without worrying about anything getting loose.
When you choose dental implants, you also don’t have to stress about using adhesives.
You do have to remember that dental implants tend to be a bit more expensive than dentures. They also require a surgical procedure, unlike dentures.
Choosing the Right Option
When deciding on dentures vs. dental implants, you want to consider everything from your budget to your lifestyle.
Dentures are more affordable than implants, so if you need to have many teeth replaced, cost would be something to consider.
You also want to consider your lifestyle. If you want to be able to eat most foods without having to worry about adhesives, implants can be a better option than dentures. With implants, no one will be able to tell that you are missing teeth, while with dentures, you may have limitations that can impact your life.
Bone volume can be another concern. If you have a lot of jawbone loss, getting an implant may require a bone graft prior to dental implant placement. Or if you do not have adequate jawbone to support an implant even with bone grafting, you may not be a good candidate for dental implants. In that case, your best option is to turn to dentures.
Oral health can also be a concern. If you have poor oral hygiene, dental implants may not be the best choice.
One of the most important things that you can do is to ask for help from professionals. Getting recommendations from your dentist can ensure you get the best options possible.
Improving Your Oral Health
If you have dental issues and have missing teeth, choosing the right way to replace them is essential. Dentures and dental implants can both be great options, but you want to consider everything from your budget to your overall health before deciding on the right choice.
To decide on the best option for your oral health and your budget, schedule an appointment with Albion Family Dental today. 585-589-9044
Sources:
[1] https://www.gotoapro.org/facts-figures/