You don’t have to let your missing teeth stand in the way of a happy life. With today’s advanced dental technology, it’s easier than ever for adults to get beautiful dentures and implants that feel as natural and comfortable as real teeth. In fact, with the help of a qualified dentist, you can have a brand new smile in as little as a few hours.
Even though dentures and implants both help you restore your smile after losing teeth, they are two very different things: Dentures are an excellent alternative for people who want to replace missing teeth but do not want to undergo the process of getting dental implants. While dental implants can last a lifetime if properly cared for, they cost more than dentures and take longer to get used to.
What is a Denture?
A denture is a set of removable teeth that are either handmade by a dentist or manufactured by a dental laboratory. Modern dentures are made from high-quality materials that are both strong and comfortable. In some cases, dentures can also be made from natural materials like real teeth, animal teeth (e.g. porcine), or human teeth that have been donated by patients after their death.
When you get dentures and implants, your dentist will remove the teeth that remain in your gums and create a space for the new teeth to go. They will then take the new set of dentures, put them in a solution to make them soft, and fit them to your mouth. While you might think that dentures only work with replacement teeth, they can also be fitted with a dental implant.
Why Are Dentures Important?
Dentures are an excellent temporary solution for missing teeth. They offer many advantages over other tooth replacement options such as bridgework, full dentures, or dental implants. Advantages of dentures include: – They are easy to clean and maintain. You may have to have your dentures and implants cleaned professionally a few times a year, but for the most part, you can clean them at home with a soft-bristle toothbrush and dental floss.
– They are affordable. If you have dental insurance, you might be able to get your dentures covered. Otherwise, they tend to cost between $1,000 and $3,000.
– They are quick and easy to get. Your dentist will take impressions of your remaining teeth and create a set of dentures in a few weeks.
– They are safe. Because your dentist will use impressions of your remaining teeth to make your dentures, you won’t have to undergo any surgery or have any implants placed in your gums.
– They are stable. If you have dental implants, your upper jaw bone may be stimulated to grow, which can cause swelling and pain. With dentures, your mouth remains soft and comfortable.
– They are convenient. You can eat anything you’d like with dentures and easily store them in a dental bag when you’re not wearing them.
– They fit properly. With dental implants, you may experience issues with the fit of your new teeth as your mouth and gums heal. With dentures and implants, you can have them adjusted by your dentist as many times as necessary until they fit perfectly in your mouth.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Unlike dentures, dental implants are a permanent solution for tooth loss. An implant is a titanium screw that is surgically inserted into your gum line, where it will eventually fuse with your bone. Next, your dentist will take an impression of your gums and create a new tooth that is either made of a lab-created resin or real tooth (depending on the patient).
The new tooth is placed on top of the titanium screw, where it will fuse with your gum line over the next few months. Like dentures and implants, you can also have dental implants made with a real tooth. Once your new tooth is fused with your gum line, your dentist will take impressions of your gums. They will then send the impressions to a dental laboratory, where a technician will make a custom-fit bridge that will replace your missing teeth.
The Pros of Dental Implants
– They are long-lasting. With proper care, dental implants can last a lifetime.
– They are safe. Dental implants don’t require surgery, and they don’t put your body through the trauma of an amputation.
– They are comfortable. Unlike the process of getting dentures, getting dental implants is a relatively painless process. Once your body has healed and the implants have fused with your gum line, you won’t feel them at all.
– They look natural. Unlike dentures, dental implants look and feel just like real teeth.
– They are permanent. Once your dental implants are healed and properly fitted, they are a very difficult dental solution to reverse.
– They are affordable. The cost of dental implants is determined by many factors, including your dental insurance coverage and location. The average dental implant costs between $8,000 and $11,000.
The Cons of Dental Implants
– They are invasive. Getting dental implants requires surgery in which your dentist will insert the titanium screw into your gum line.
– They are time-consuming. It takes approximately 6-18 months for dental implants to fuse with your gum line, so you can’t eat or talk properly until then.
– They are more expensive than dentures. While dental implants are an excellent long-term solution to tooth loss, they are more expensive than dentures.
– They require maintenance. Your dental implants will need to be cleaned regularly to prevent infection. It’s recommended that you visit your dentist for a teeth cleaning about every six months.
– They need to be replaced. Implants can be removed and replaced with a new set of teeth when the time comes, but this is a long and costly process that can leave you toothless for even longer.
– They can’t be used to replace all teeth. Dental implants are most effective for the back teeth in your mouth, so you won’t be able to replace your front teeth with implants.
Should you get a dental implant or a denture?
When it comes to dental implants and dentures, choosing one over the other simply comes down to your unique situation. If you need to replace a single missing tooth, dentures and implants are likely your best bet. However, if you’re missing multiple teeth, it may be better to go with dental implants.
That’s because implants offer a more permanent and reliable solution, while dentures can be removed and cleaned throughout the day. Generally, dental implants are recommended for patients who are missing one or more teeth in the upper or lower jaw, or both. While it’s recommended that you wait 3-6 months after tooth loss before getting an implant, it’s also smart to talk to a dentist about what your next steps are.
Conclusion
Dentures and implants are two of the most common solutions for missing teeth among adults over 40 years old. Both can offer an affordable and long-lasting option for those who have suffered from tooth decay or periodontal disease. Dental implants are posts that are implanted into the jawbone. Once they fuse with the bone, they become a part of your body and a foundation for a false tooth or teeth.
They’re a long-term investment in oral health and are recommended for patients who are missing one or more teeth in the upper or lower jaw, or both. Dentures are removable oral appliances that are used when all your teeth are missing, or when they are loose or have been damaged.
There are many reasons to get dental implants, including the fact that they look and feel natural. The only downside is that they require surgery and a long healing process. For people with moderate tooth loss, dental implants are a worthwhile investment. However, if you want to replace all of your teeth, you’re better off with dentures.
References:
1-Comparison of stress distribution between complete denture and implant-retained overdenture-2D FEA
Publishing Date: 03 September 2008
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2842.2008.01851.x
2-Biomechanical concerns with fixed partial dentures involving implants.
Publishing Date: 01 Jan 1993
DOI: 10.1097/00008505-199312000-00002
