Should You Get Dentures or Dental Implants?
Home / Blog
Home / Blog
The statistics show that around 70% of adults aged 33-44 have at least one missing tooth due to issues like tooth decay, gum disease, and even outside accidents. That's a pretty high number, and it's one that rises rather drastically as age takes its toll. In fact, 1 in 4 adults over 74 are currently missing all of their teeth! That's worrying news indeed, and it can spell significant trouble for dental health on the whole.
Most notably, dentists warn against the possibility of gums shrinking or receding in areas where teeth are missing. Both these issues can damage the teeth on either side of a gap, making it far more likely that further tooth loss will occur. What's more, gaps in teeth can lead to significant self-esteem issues, especially with prevalent losses such as front teeth or canines.
If you've experienced tooth loss, then, there's a pretty high chance that some dental action is necessary to prevent further issues. Traditionally, a complete set of dentures was the best choice for patients in these cases. Now, though, dental implants are making significant ripples in the way dental professionals treat tooth loss. If you're facing a decision about treatments like these, then you might want to know the difference between dental implants and dentures, and which is the most viable option for your health moving forward.
While they both address the same issue, these treatment methods approach matters in incredibly different ways. To first get your head around these treatment options, it's vital to know what they are and how they differ.
A traditional approach to tooth-loss, dentures are prosthetic devices that replace missing teeth. Solutions like these are available in either complete or partial sets to help individuals cover total tooth loss or a few key areas. Conventional dentures are removable and rely on adhesive to hold them in place throughout the day.
Dental implants have been coming to the fore in a significant way in recent years, and are fast becoming a preferable option for many. In cases of singular tooth loss, especially, targeted single dental implants can help to prevent further problems. What's more, the fixed nature of replacements like these means that they're low-maintenance, and bring no risk of slippage at any stage.
Before we get into the ins and outs of how dentures and dental implants compare, you may first want to consider whether you need either of these treatments. The chances are that your dentist has already broached this subject with you, but any patient suffering from even one missing tooth could benefit from considering treatments like these. Some sure signs that you could benefit from booking an appointment sooner rather than later include -
Now that we've determined your need for treatment, it's time to consider whether dental implants or dentures are your best option. In many cases, this comes down to the number of teeth you're missing. In instances of total tooth loss, for instance, dentures are often the best-case scenario. In the majority of other tooth loss issues, however, dental implants tend to come out on top, and we're going to look at why.
Dental implants are a more practical treatment option for a few different reasons. Their fixed, focused nature certainly saves you from ever having to worry after a fitting. By comparison, the removable nature of most dentures can be problematic. As well as taking time, adhesive can unstick and lead to embarrassing slippages through the day. That's certainly not going to help with those self-esteem issues!
Dental implants also tend to be a cheaper choice. Admittedly, upfront pricing for both pieces of kit tends to be around the same price points. That said, dentures come with extra costs besides. For one, most denture fittings require additional tooth extractions. Not to mention the ongoing cost of adhesive throughout your life. By comparison, dental implants only involve one upfront cost, and then you're set for at least forty years or more. By doing your research into pricing by searching online or elsewhere for `dental implants near me', you should find you're able to reduce those prices even further.
Dentures also offer the benefit of increased jaw support. Remember that the breakdown and shifting of your jaw is a common side effect of dental loss. This can lead to significant issues, including difficulty eating and more. Dentures don't do much to address this issue. While they will offer some basic jaw support, then, problems can still arise. By comparison, dental implants drill directly into your jaw for support comparable to that provided by a real tooth. This can both prevent further jaw problems, and provide a more natural feel.
Of course, deciding on the best course of action for you mostly comes down to the advice you receive from your dentist. Even if dentures turn out to be a better option for your situation, having that professional seal of approval will push you in the right direction. It may even be that monitoring is necessary before a definitive decision can be made.
If your dentist does advise you to go down the implant route, you must seek a dental implant specialist who can offer you all the benefits mentioned above. Luckily, we at iSmile are on hand to help Roswell patients facing just this dilemma. As a one-stop-shop for dental implants, we can help you decide whether dental implants are the right decision, and guide you through your entire implant journey.
With this all-in-one approach, we're able to offer the low-cost, convenient dental implant benefits mentioned above. If you think this is the right option for you, then don't hesitate to contact us on (678) 297-3992.
