Options for Replacing Missing Teeth

Dentures and dental implants are two of the most common forms of restorative dentistry for patients who have lost many or all of their teeth. The choice between the two, however, represents an important decision that will have long-term implications throughout your day-to-day life. 

As such, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of both options while also considering factors such as your oral health, your current quality of life, and even aesthetics to arrive at the option that is best for you.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are a permanent treatment option for replacing missing teeth. They rely on titanium posts to support individual crowns or full arch replacements. 

Posts are surgically placed, embedding them into the jawbone to provide a solid foundation and to allow for natural biting, chewing, and speaking. Implants look just like your natural tooth, with each one carefully customized to suit your smile.

The first step toward getting dental implants is a consultation. Your dentist will evaluate your oral health to determine whether you’re a good candidate for dental implants and whether they’re the best choice for your case.

Once the implants are placed, a healing period of around three months is required before the replacement teeth are attached. That time allows for the implants to fully bond with the jawbone, providing a strong and lasting foundation.

What are dentures?

Dentures, in both full and partial varieties, have long been the go-to choice for replacement teeth for a wide variety of patients. These artificial teeth restore a person’s ability to eat and speak, along with giving them a bright and full smile.

Getting dentures is a straightforward process, and they’ll be customized to provide a comfortable fit. Given that they are removable, dentures are particularly easy to take care of. All you need to do is clean them each night. 

Adjustments can be made to make your dentures more comfortable and help maintain their fit. Denture adhesives can also help the dentures feel more secure and avoid slipping, which can lead to gum irritation or potential blunders at inopportune moments in social situations.

Key Differences Between These Tooth Replacement Options

While both dental implants and dentures seek to achieve the same goal, they do so in different ways. As such, there are important factors to consider when choosing your restorative dentistry option, and you must understand that the best option isn’t the same for everyone.

Dental implants are made to last for the remainder of a person’s life. While the full arch or individual crown replacements may need to be replaced after a decade or more, the titanium implants themselves are permanent. Dentures, on the other hand, will eventually need to be replaced as they warp over the years and won’t retain a comfortable fit forever.

Additionally, even though both restore eating and speaking function, dental implants do so much more effectively than dentures. They function much closer to the way natural teeth do, and their solid foundation prevents any instability or slipping that denture owners often deal with. 

Dental implants also address a variety of oral health concerns. Without the natural stimulation of tooth roots, your jawbone will deteriorate and shrink over time. Dentures do not stop that process, but teeth implants are embedded in the jawbone and prevent bone loss in the same way that natural teeth do.

Pros and Cons of Dental Implants vs. Dentures

Both dental implants and dentures provide a variety of pros and cons in different cases. Understanding these factors helps you make the best decision for your unique needs.

Dental implants provide a natural appearance and feel that instills confidence in your day-to-day life. They are a permanent solution, incredibly durable, and will protect your long-term oral health as well as enhance your eating and speaking function.

However, they come at a much higher cost than dentures due to the required surgical procedure, which, itself, may not be suitable for all patients. If you have already experienced jawbone deterioration, have conditions such as osteoporosis, or suffer from gum disease, dental implants may not be right for you. There is also a much longer timeline for dental implant treatment due to the recovery time.

As for dentures, they provide an immediate, non-invasive solution for missing teeth. While your final dentures may take some time to be fully customized, temporary solutions will deliver a full smile right away. They’re more affordable up front and are suitable for just about everyone as well.

However, despite their convenience, dentures provide limited stability and cause potential discomfort if not fitted properly. You’ll need adjustments and replacements over time, which increases their overall cost, and they won’t protect you from jawbone deterioration as dental implants do.

Find the Right Teeth Replacement for Your Smile

If you are dealing with missing teeth and are considering something like dental implants near Great Falls, MT, turn to Stephen J. Spencer, DDS. Dr. Spencer provides dental implants, dentures, and other restorative dentistry options. Schedule a consultation today to find out which option best suits your unique needs.