Everyone needs a full complement of teeth to have a great quality of life and eat and speak comfortably. But if you’re one of the 178 million Americans with at least one missing tooth, you have decisions to make about the best option for tooth replacement. For many decades, the only option was dentures. Then implants came along and changed everything! If you’re trying to decide between dentures and dental implants in Lake Highlands, learn about the differences between them and the advantages of each option to help you determine which one is right for you!
What’s the Main Difference Between Dentures and Implants?
Dentures only replace the crowns of missing teeth, while implants replace the roots as well. This replacement root account accounts for many of the advantages of implants such as increased chewing power, stability and function.
Implants also trick the body into thinking that teeth are still present, so the shape and bone mass in the jaw is maintained. But that doesn’t mean that implants are the best option for everyone – in some cases, dentures are a better fit.
What Are the Advantages of Dentures?
- Dentures don’t require surgery.
- Dentures are less costly at first. However, it’s important to note that dentures must be replaced an average of every 5-8 years, which increases the long-term cost.
- Modern dentures fit better than ever and provide a more natural-looking result.
While dentures in Lake Highlands are a wonderful choice for many patients, there are some drawbacks. Over time, the jaw bone will begin to shrink, so dentures require periodic adjustments to continue fitting well.
Also, dentures can make it more challenging to eat particularly hard or tough foods such as steak or corn on the cob.
What Are the Advantages of Implants?
- The size and shape of your jaws will be maintained and your implants won’t become loose or start to shift.
- Implants can last decades or even a lifetime with basic care and maintenance such as good brushing and flossing and regular checkups.
- You’ll have close to the same chewing ability that you had with your natural teeth, so you won’t have to avoid certain foods.
The drawbacks of implants include a higher upfront cost and that it takes 3-6 months for an implant to fuse with the surrounding jawbone.
Is It Possible To Get the Best of Both Worlds?
For patients who have lost all of the teeth in the upper or lower arch, an implant-retained denture is a great way to get the best of both worlds. In many cases, a denture can be anchored with just 2-4 implants per arch that will greatly enhance its stability and function.
If you’d like to know whether you’re a good candidate for any of these options, the first thing to do is schedule a consultation with an implant dentist who can evaluate your unique dental history, needs and goals.
Although losing teeth negatively impacts your life, with modern dentistry you have multiple ways to restore your oral health, smile, and self-confidence!
About the Author
Dr. Andrew Barnett is a periodontist and implant dentist in Lake Highlands who knows that restoring someone’s smile after tooth loss greatly improves their overall quality of life. If you’re trying to decide between dentures and implants and have other questions, he offers a free implant consultation and can be reached via his website or at (214) 373-9903.