What to Choose Between Dentures & Implants to Restore Missing Teeth

Missing teeth is a common dental problem. People can lose teeth because of aging, accident, decay, infection, or trauma. However, what some people fail to understand is that it is extremely important to get the missing tooth/ teeth replaced. Missing teeth not only affect the appearance of your smile but also affects your ability to chew and speak. Not just that, losing teeth can lead to gradual bone loss which can deteriorate your facial structure, explains our dentist near you.

Thus, it is important to get the missing tooth replaced with options such as dentures, bridges, and implants. However, the pertinent question is which one of them is the best option for restoration. Today, let’s have a look at the pros and cons of choosing dentures vs. dental implants and which option is better.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are nothing but titanium posts that are inserted into the jawbone. They replace the missing tooth root and stimulate the jaw bone. Once the implant post infuses within 5-6 months into the jawbone, a crown is placed over the gumline which acts as your tooth replacement, says our Plano dentist.

Pros of Getting Implants

• The dental implants are fixed to the jawbone so there are no chances of moving the way dentures do. Also, there is no lisp while speaking. The tooth looks as well as feels natural inside the mouth.
• Unlike dentures and bridges, there is no risk of bone loss and groggy facial structure with implants.
• There are no clicking noises while speaking or difficulty in chewing food.
• The implants are successful in 95 to 99% of the cases.
• Good maintenance of implants can make them last for a lifetime.
• You can care for the implants just like you do for your natural teeth i.e. by regular brushing and flossing.

Cons of Dental Implants

• The implant procedure is considered safe but just like any other procedure, there can be complications such as bleeding, infection, nasal cavity injury, etc., says our dentist in Plano.
• The implants are not a quick fix to missing teeth. They take a minimum of 5-6 months for the implant to fuse with the jawbone after which the crown is placed on top of it.
• The gum around the implant can get infected by bacteria and lead to periodontal disease, resulting in bone and tooth loss.
• Implants can be very costly and not everyone can afford to pay thousands of dollars for a single implant.

Pros of Getting Dentures

• One of the main benefits of getting dentures for your missing teeth is that they are a quicker replacement as compared to other options. A complete set of dentures may only require 2 to 6 weeks for getting ready. Some dentists may even offer dentures within 24 to 48 hours so that missing teeth can be replaced as early as possible.
• With the advancement in dentistry, dentures these days look and feel completely natural, says the dentist near 75093. They look just like your natural teeth.
• As you age, the muscles in your jaw and mouth begin to weaken. This gives your face a sunken appearance. However, dentures offer additional support to these muscles and give your mouth, jaw, and cheekbones a natural appearance.
• It is a good treatment option for people of all ages. There are no specific criteria for getting the dentures done.

Cons of Getting Dentures

• The dentures are not a permanent solution, unlike the implants. Also, you need to get the dentures changed from time to time as you begin to age and your facial structure changes. Replacing them would happen every 5 to 8 years and it can be a time-consuming and costly process.
• The dentures are customized to fit your mouth but you need some time to get adjusted to them.
• They decrease your ability to taste the food.
• Infection may occur if the dentures don’t fit properly.

Conclusion

As mentioned above, there are positives and downsides associated with both the teeth restoration options. It depends on your personal preference, your dental condition, your budget, and the dentist’s recommendation that which option should you choose. Contact us at S Dental to know more!