Dentures vs. Dental Implants

Dentures and dental implants are two of the most popular options when replacing missing teeth. While both options have pros and cons, the choice ultimately depends on the individual's needs and preferences. This post will explore the differences between dentures and dental implants and how they can be combined.

Understanding dentures and dental implants

Dentures

Dentures are removable prosthetic devices that one can use to replace all missing teeth on both arches. They typically consist of acrylic resin or metal and can be customized to fit the patient’s mouth. Dentures can either be full or partial, depending on the number of missing teeth.

Like with any dental prosthesis, there are pros and cons to receiving dentures. The pros include being cost-effective, generally more affordable than dental implants, and noninvasive in nature. While receiving dental implants can take months, dentures can take an appointment or two, depending on the patient. People with dentures can also easily care for the dentures, seeing as the appliance is removable.

On the other hand, traditional dentures can cause discomfort or irritation if worn improperly or for prolonged periods. This can also cause the need for frequent adjustments, as patients’ bodies can change, and the gums can shift or recede over time.

Dental implants

Dental implants are artificial tooth roots the dentist will surgically implant into the jawbone. They typically consist of titanium and are designed to fuse with the bone over time. Once the implant has fused with the bone in a process called osseointegration, a crown or bridge is attached to replace the missing tooth. In addition, there is an option to combine dentures and implants, appropriately receiving the name implant-supported dentures. This simply means the partial or full dentures will be fixed onto the implants.

There are many advantages to choosing dental implants, including their natural appearance, functionality, and their ability to be a permanent solution to missing teeth. They are designed to look and feel like natural teeth. Therefore, patients will not need to remove the appliance to clean or soak overnight. Instead, they can brush and floss their chosen restoration using pre-approved products.

The disadvantages, though few, mostly revolve around the procedure being invasive and time-consuming. Some patients are discouraged when they learn the implant must be surgically placed into their jawbone. However, it is worth noting that patients will feel nothing during each procedure as the dentist will use local or general anesthesia and, during the healing process, will be fitted with a temporary appliance to achieve a normal smile.

In addition, patients need not worry about the time-consuming process because we will schedule the appointments over six to nine months. Our team will review what the patient can expect, including the timeframes of each appointment.