It’s not only embarrassing to have missing teeth, it’s dangerous to your overall oral health. Even just one or two missing teeth compromise the strength of your jawbone and the alignment of your remaining teeth. Not to mention the increased threat of gum disease and decay!
Luckily, it’s easier than ever before to replace your missing teeth with dentures or implants. Which is the best choice for your smile?
What Are Implants?
A dental implant permanently replaces a missing tooth. Each implant is made of three pieces: the screw, abutment, and crown.
The base of the implant is a titanium screw inserted deep into your gum tissue, where it fuses permanently with your jawbone. By replacing missing tooth roots and bonding with the jawbone, the screw creates a sturdy base that supports the other parts of the implant.
An abutment is then placed on the titanium screw as the connector between the screw and the custom-made crown The crown is the part of the dental implant that you can see and feel since it looks and functions exactly like a real tooth.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are lab-made dental devices that replace missing teeth using an acrylic base that mimics gum tissue to support custom-made teeth. There are three types of dentures: partial, complete, and implant-supported.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are dental prosthetics designed to replace a small section of your teeth and gums. Some are removable, while others are attached to neighboring teeth using crowns or bridges. In the end, partial dentures can fill in the gaps to give you a full smile once again.
Complete Dentures
You may need complete dentures if no teeth remain along the top or bottom row of your mouth. They’re designed to stay in place by forming a seal with the gums.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures offer a middle ground for patients who want a solution more advanced than standard dentures but not quite as complex as full implants. They are attached to at least two implants installed in the jawbone itself. This is a viable option if you have enough bone to support implants and prefer to secure your dentures with the help of such implants.
The Top 4 Reasons to Get Implants
The question is, should you choose dentures or implants? Titanium implants offer significant benefits that can’t be enjoyed with dentures alone.
Implants Last a Lifetime
Implants aren’t at risk of wear and tear like other dental solutions. As long as you properly care for your implants, they can last the rest of your life! The titanium implants fuse with your jawbone to create a permanent base, and the durable crowns can endure any normal eating, talking, and biting activity.
Implants Look and Feel Natural
Implants look incredibly natural and real. You can feel confident in your smile without any hesitation or uncertainty. Your friends and colleagues will wonder why you look so rejuvenated and happy, but they’ll never guess that your teeth aren’t your own.
Implants Protect Your Facial Bones and Oral Health
Without a full set of teeth, your jawbone doesn’t receive the stimulation it needs to remain strong. Over time, an unstimulated jawbone becomes too weak and damaged to maintain the healthy structure of your cheeks and jaw. Implants prevent this problem from occurring and keep your jawbone strong and durable.
Implants Improve Your Quality of Life
It’s no secret that missing teeth make it harder to enjoy life. Fortunately, implants solve that problem by making it easy- even effortless- to chew, talk, and smile. Steak, apples, hard pretzels, there’s no food you can’t eat. When all of these benefits combine, you’ll rediscover a sense of confidence you thought you had lost forever.
The Top 4 Reasons to Get Dentures
As you debate whether to use dentures or implants to rebuild your smile, consider these important benefits of dentures.
Dentures Are Versatile
Dentures aren’t a one-size-fits-all tooth replacement solution. You can choose between traditional dentures or implant-supported dentures based upon the condition of your mouth and overall aesthetic goals. The option for implant-supported dentures opens the door to benefits like less shifting, improved jawbone strength, and easier chewing.
Dentures Are Easy to Remove and Replace
Standard dentures adhere firmly to the gum tissue but can be removed and cleaned at any time. This makes it easier to keep the gums clean.
Dentures Don’t Require Strong Jaw Bone
Implants are wonderful if you have enough jaw bone to sustain them, but many patients don’t have the amount of healthy jaw bone necessary for implants. In these cases, dentures provide an easier way to replace missing teeth. Since dentures sit along the gum tissue, they can replace teeth regardless of the condition of the underlying bone.
Dentures Are Non-Invasive
Many patients also choose dentures because they want to restore their smiles without undergoing a major or invasive procedure. Dentures are relatively simple to have fitted, so you can use them to obtain a quick and more affordable tooth replacement solution.
The Bottom Line: Which One is Right For You?
This is an essential conversation to have with your dentist in Encinitas, California. Dr. Claudia and her team at Ablantis Dental Clinic use the best and most advanced dental technologies and practices to ensure that every patient receives personalized, successful dental care. Book an appointment with Dr. Claudia today to start your journey to a healthier smile with dentures or implants.