When you need to replace one or more missing teeth, you have a few options, including dentures and implants.
Choosing the right solution depends on several factors, including price, preference, and the health of your jawbone and the rest of your teeth.
Dentures and implants each have their own pros and cons, so it’s important to discuss your options in detail with your dentist. It’s also worth exploring other alternatives to dentures and implants, such as dental bridges.
Dentures and implants ultimately serve the same purposes. These:
- it helps you chew foods you might not otherwise be able to eat
- facial muscle support
- speech improvement
- increase self-esteem and reduce self-consciousness by giving you a nice smile
However, there are also significant differences between the two dental solutions. Here are some pros and cons for each approach to consider before making a decision.
Implants
Implants require enough bone into which screw-type implants covered with crowns can be placed. Have happened
A dental implant is made by extracting a damaged root. Once the root is gone, or if the root was previously removed, a hole is made in the jawbone.
A metal prosthetic root, called a post, is implanted deep into the bone. The top of the post will be placed with a crown, but not until bone has begun to grow around the post, securing it in place.
It may take a few months before the post is ready to accept an abutment, the piece on which the crown will be placed. Sometimes the abutment is placed when the post is implanted.
The final step is to place a crown – an artificial tooth made to match the surrounding teeth – on the abutment.
Dentures
Dentures are removable, prosthetic teeth that can fit into your mouth regardless of how much bone is present.
Dentures can be a complete set to replace all teeth in the upper or lower jaw, or made to replace a few missing teeth. These are called partial dentures.
Dentures are made by first taking an impression of the upper or lower gums, or both, if dentures are needed to replace all teeth.
Before the dentures are made, your dentist will also study your bite and your upper and lower jaw alignment to make sure the length of the dentures will allow for optimal chewing and speaking.
A preliminary set of dentures is then made in a laboratory and sent to your dentist. The dentures will be placed in your mouth and any necessary adjustments to the alignment or length of the teeth will be made before a final set of dentures is produced.
Dentures are made to look like natural teeth and gums and are held in place with a special type of adhesive that bonds them to your gums.
Dental implants are more expensive than dentures and other treatments such as bridges.
Although prices vary depending on the location of the dental office and other factors, the American Dental Association (ADA) reports that an implant can cost anywhere from $1,600 to $2,200 per tooth.
The ADA suggests that the average cost of a full set of upper dentures is just over $1,600and complete dentures for the lower jaw are about the same.
Caring for dental implants is similar to standard dental hygiene for natural teeth. This means brushing at least twice a day with a soft-bristled brush, flossing and regular checkups.
For dentures to remain viable in the long term, however, it is longer
To clean the dentures (which should be done daily), remove them after eating and brush them. You may also need to remove any bits of glue that remain on your gums.
Because your bite changes over time, dentures will need to be repositioned from time to time. Dental implants, on the other hand, are permanent fixtures that may require replacement crowns if the original crowns crack or break.
Dental implants are usually safe and effective solutions for missing teeth, but they can present a number of complications, including infection and mechanical problems (loose posts, cracked crowns), according to
The more
- dentures do not stay in place
- sores (ulcers) that form on the gums
When you are ready to make a decision about your dental future, consider the following factors:
Age
Because dental implants are a more permanent solution, those who are 60 or younger may want to choose implants as they can enjoy a few decades of use from their dentures.
Seniors, especially those who do not wish to go through the more time-consuming and invasive procedures associated with implants, may prefer dentures.
Bone mineral density
Implants require a certain amount of jaw material to support the posts. If you have lost bone material, whether due to injury, age, gum disease or tooth loss, you may not be a good candidate for implants.
Dental bone grafting can be done to enhance jaw bone density, but it is a more expensive and more demanding procedure.
Function and feel
Dental implants may provide a preferred level of comfort and better chewing than dentures.
However, a
Hygiene
If you can’t or are unlikely to take the time to effectively care for your dentures, you should consider implants, which are more low-maintenance, though more expensive.
It is important to be honest about your willingness and ability to provide daily care for your dentures.
Dentures and implants are just two options for replacing missing teeth. Other alternative treatments to discuss with your dentist include:
Dental bridge
If you are missing one or more teeth, a dental bridge can be a convenient approach to fill that gap. Also known as a fixed partial denture, a bridge is attached to the surrounding teeth for support.
Temporary partial denture
Often referred to as a flipper, a temporary partial denture is a removable retainer-like device that contains one or more teeth. Dentures can give the appearance of a full smile but can be removed for easy cleaning.
Flippers are among the cheapest solutions for missing teeth, but they are also the least durable.
These devices are typically used by people waiting for implants or a fixed bridge, but they can be long-term solutions for people who understand that replacement flippers will likely be necessary over time.
Snap-in denture
Kind of like a cross between dentures and implants, snap-on dentures don’t rely on an adhesive to stay in place. In contrast, snap-in dentures—also called dentures—rely on implants to secure them in place in the mouth.
Instead of having a post and bracket for each missing tooth, snap-on dentures can be fitted with a few snaps on the bottom that connect to two to four posts on each jaw. Snap-in dentures can be permanent attachments or removable for cleaning.
Snap-in dentures are more stable than conventional dentures, but they are also more expensive. They also come with similar potential complications as regular dental implants and require regular maintenance, according to a
You should make the choice between dentures or implants carefully and in consultation with your dentist.
Although implants are more expensive, they could provide 20 or more years of service compared to dentures, which may require occasional adjustments or replacements over the years.
If you carefully look at all of your options for replacing missing teeth and consider your priorities and what you want dentures to achieve, you should be able to make a final decision with confidence.
