Having a smile you can feel good about isn’t just a matter of how you look; it can also help you feel happier and more connected with other people. Unfortunately, poor oral health can result in embarrassment or insecurity, as well as potential health problems over the long term. The good news is that there are several options for replacing missing teeth; two of the most common are dental implants and dentures.
Even though both dental implants and dentures can replace missing teeth, they function very differently from each other. Here’s an overview of dental implants vs. dentures.
These are removable oral appliances that are used to replace missing teeth. “Partial” dentures replace one or several teeth, and are typically clipped onto the existing remaining teeth on either side of the appliance.
If all the teeth from the upper or lower arch are missing, full “complete” dentures can be used to restore your smile. They’re specially designed to rest on the gums, and sometimes require denture adhesive to stay in place.
For patients looking for a better, more comfortable way to wear a denture, a snap-on denture (or implant retained denture) provides increased stability and retention by snapping the removable denture onto at least two dental implants that have been surgically placed into the jawbone. .Just like every other type of denture, snap on dentures are usually removed at night for cleaning.
Regardless of the type of denture, it will be custom-made from materials such as porcelain, metal, resin, or acrylic.
When comparing full-arch dental implants and dentures, dental implants usually have more advantages and are more satisfying to patients . Even so, this doesn’t always mean that they’re the right choice for everyone. Weighing the pros and cons will help you make the best decision for you.
Dental Implants are titanium posts that are surgically implanted into the jawbone. The posts are then used to anchor the support of custom-made crowns or bridges, replacing the missing teeth.
The single or multiple dental implant procedure requires multiple appointments. First, the post is surgically implanted into the jaw bone. The recipient will have to wait several weeks for the implant to fully fuse to the jawbone, and then the second part of the procedure can be completed – attaching the crown to the post. The implanted post is considered permanent, and the crown may need to be replaced every 15 years or so depending on other changes happening to the mouth.
If multiple teeth in a row are missing, they can be replaced by a bridge rather than individual crowns. A bridge does the same job as a crown, but can be used in cases where two or more consecutive teeth are missing. Dental implants can also be used to replace an entire arch, whether it’s on the upper or lower jaw, or both.
When comparing dental implants and dentures, dental implants usually have more advantages. These are the pros and cons of dental implants.
If you compare the up-front dentures vs. implants cost, dentures will have a smaller price tag. However, when comparing long-term costs, dental implants come out ahead. This is because dentures have to be replaced every seven to 10 years, and often have to be adjusted between replacements. Dental implants, on the other hand, are considered a permanent replacement. The crowns may have to someday be replaced every but in the end up costing less than dentures over the long term.
If you’re trying to decide between dentures vs. implants, there are some factors to take into account:
Children under the age of 16 aren’t typically eligible for dental implants, since their jawbones are still developing. Adults without health conditions that would hinder implant placement are eligible for this procedure.
In order to successfully place dental implants, the underlying jawbone must be relatively healthy and strong. Not only will it have to heal and bond with the implant, but it should also be strong enough to support the teeth attached to the implants through the years. While dental implants require jawbone and gums that are healthy enough to heal and provide support, dentures only need enough bone structure to rest on.
The durability of dentures and implants is quite different, since implants are designed using stronger, more durable materials, dentures are typically made of resin or acrylic plastic. The teeth supported by implants won’t wear down significantly over the years, although they could crack or break under excessive pressure. Dentures, however, often need to be adjusted and replaced more often, as the bone and gum tissue beneath them can change quite a bit over time.
Dental implants can be cared for just like the rest of your teeth, with regular flossing and brushing. Most types of dentures have to be taken out at night for cleaning, and to give your gums a break.
If you’re looking for a long-term solution that will bring your smile back, then dental implants could be the preferred solution. They’re more reliable than dentures, cost less over the long term, and are a permanent solution for missing or damaged teeth. Hybridge Implants & Smile Restoration can transform more than just your teeth; it can restore your confidence.
Both dentures and implants require healthy gums and bone structure in the jaws. With dentures, this is to provide enough structure for the appliance to rest on. . For implants, this is so the surrounding tissue and bone is healthy enough to heal around the implant and to support the teeth.
This ultimately depends on your individual preferences and objectives, but dental implants are often selected because of their superior functionality, longevity, and appearance.
Implants and the teeth they support are custom fitted for each individual, require surgery to place the implants, and both the teeth and implants are made of highly durable customized materials. Dentures are also custom-fitted, but don’t typically require as much surgery, and are made with less costly materials.n.
