Are you wondering what to do about your missing teeth? You’re not alone.
Many people are in the same boat, trying to decide between dentures or dental implants. Let’s break it down in a simple way, so you can make the best choice for your smile.
What’s the Difference?
Dentures are removable teeth that you can take out at night. They sit on top of your gums and need to be cleaned regularly.
Dental implants, on the other hand, are like having real teeth again. They are small posts that a dentist puts into your jawbone, and then attaches a crown (the tooth part) on top. They stay in your mouth all the time.
Dental Implants: The Gold Standard Solution to Tooth Loss
Dental implants are the gold standard tooth replacement option. If you’re a good candidate, we almost always recommend implants over dentures.
We do this for several reasons.
1. They Look and Feel Like Real Teeth
Dental implants are designed to look just like your natural teeth. Once they’re in, they feel the same too. You’ll be able to smile, eat, and talk just like you used to.
Because they’re anchored securely to the underlying bone, we use stronger, more durable materials that look more like natural enamel. These materials resist stain and can retain their shine for decades.
2. They Can Last a Lifetime
One of the biggest benefits of dental implants is how long they last. While dentures might need to be replaced every 5-8 years, dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care.
Although the initial cost of dental implants is higher, it’s important to consider the long-term expense of frequent adjustments and replacements that add to the cost of dentures over time.
3. No Limits on What Foods You Can Enjoy
With dental implants, you don’t have to worry about your teeth slipping or falling out. They are firmly anchored in your jaw, so you can enjoy your favorite foods without any worries.
That means you’ll never be limited to a soft-food diet because of your teeth. You’ll be able to enjoy juicy steak, fresh salad, and even bite into fresh apples comfortably!
4. They Protect Your Health and Quality of Life
You can already see how dental implants can protect your health by enabling you to eat a full variety of healthy foods. But what else can they do for your health?
Dental implants help keep your jawbone healthy. When you lose a tooth, your jawbone can start to shrink over time. Implants stimulate the bone, keeping it strong and preventing bone loss.
Dental implants also preserve a healthy, stable bite, which prevents damage to your jaw joints that can lead to chronic pain and loss of function.
As you can see, dental implants are an ideal answer to missing teeth.
What about dentures?
Dentures: The Surgery-Free Option
Traditional dentures have several benefits.
They’re a more affordable option and are quicker to get than implants. They’re also ideal for patients who are not candidates for dental implants because of other health issues, or who don’t have enough healthy bone to support implants.
However, they’re not considered a permanent solution to tooth loss.
Some people start with dentures and later switch to implants when they’re ready. They’re great as a temporary solution, but they come with some challenges.
1. They Restore Some Function, But It’s Not Perfect
Dentures float over the gums, held in place by suction. That means they can’t stand up to uneven pressure like biting into a sandwich or chewy foods like meat.
This is one of the major complaints people have about dentures. Being limited to soft foods is not fun. Unfortunately, it can also lead to nutritional deficiencies.
2. They’re Harder to Maintain
Over time, the fit of your dentures will become looser as the underlying ridge of bone shrinks. Which means uncomfortable adhesives, frequent adjustments, and complete replacements every 5-10 years on average.
You’ll need to take out your dentures every night to clean them. This is essential for your gum health, but many people find it unpleasant.
3. They’re Not as Durable
Because they depend on suction to stay in place, dentures need to be as lightweight as possible. That means crafting them from acrylic resins.
While we are experts at creating beautiful, natural-looking dentures, these materials are more porous and less durable than ceramic. That means they can lose their shine, become stained, and even chip or break.
4. They’re Not Always Comfortable
Our team has the skill to create dentures that feel as comfortable as possible. But even the most comfortable denture will cover the roof of your mouth, which can be very uncomfortable and hard to get used to.
It can also interfere with your sense of taste and the sound of your voice.
As the fit of your dentures changes, it can lead to rubbing and uncomfortable sores. Because you’ll need to leave your teeth out at night, your jaw won’t be supported in a healthy position while you sleep. That can damage your jaw joints and cause pain and loss of function.
You can see why dental implants are preferable to dentures in most cases.
But there’s a third option you might not have considered!
What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?
There’s another option called implant-supported dentures. These combine the stability of dental implants with the versatility of dentures. Here’s how they work:
1. Stability of Implants
Implant-supported dentures are anchored to a few dental implants in your jaw. This makes them much more stable than regular dentures. You can eat, talk, and laugh without worrying about your teeth slipping.
2. Versatility of Dentures
Even though they are anchored to implants, these dentures can still be removed. This makes cleaning them easier and lets you give your gums a break if needed.
3. Not as Durable as Full Implants
While implant-supported dentures are a great option, they’re not as durable as permanent full mouth dental implants. The dentures might still need to be replaced over time, but the implants themselves will last much longer.
Making the Choice
Choosing between dentures, dental implants, and implant-supported dentures is a personal decision.
If you want something that feels natural, lasts a long time, and keeps your mouth healthy, full mouth dental implants might be the best choice for you.
But if you need a quick and less expensive option, dentures could work as a starting point.
Implant-supported dentures offer a great middle ground, giving you the stability of implants with the flexibility of dentures.
Talk to Your Dentist
The best way to decide is to talk to our expert team at Fort Washington Dental Associates. We’ll evaluate your specific situation and help you choose the right option for your needs and lifestyle.
Because our team includes the best periodontist in Washington Heights, NY, you’ll be able to get everything you need in one comfortable and convenient place.
Remember, a healthy smile is a happy smile! Whether you choose dentures, dental implants, or implant-supported dentures, taking care of your oral health is the most important thing.
If you have any questions or need more information, don’t hesitate to ask! We’re there to help you make the best decision for your dental health.
