Dentures

If you are missing one or more teeth, or if your dentist recommends extractions due to broken or damaged teeth, dental implants or dentures can help you restore your smile and maintain your confidence.

However, there are pros and cons to each of these options. The tips below will help you make the best choice.

Removable vs. Permanent

The major difference between dentures and dental implants is that dentures are removable whereas dental implants are permanent.

This is a huge consideration for many people since dentures are often frustrating for many people. Dentures stay in place with a fixative like a paste or a sticky pad, which are difficult to use.

On the other hand, dental implants offer a permanent solution since specialized hardware inserted into the gum or the jaw holds them into place. While the procedure for installing dental implants is lengthier, the results are often worth the extra effort.

The Cost Factor

Another important consideration is cost. Dentures can cost a little or a lot depending on factors like overall quality and the materials used in making them.

However, many people do not consider the long-term costs for things like cleaning solutions and fixatives, or even the cost of repair or replacement. Dental implants are more expensive at first, but they are a long-term solution that lasts a lifetime.

You care for your implants just as you would care for your natural teeth, so you do not have to buy expensive fixatives, pastes, wafers or cleaning products. Many specialists offer several payment solutions to help afford dental implants.

Care and Maintenance

Generally speaking, the less expensive the dentures, the more maintenance they require. Cheaply made dentures often cannot stand up to everyday foods such as apples, chips, pretzels, and many others.

It is common for dentures to break, and these repairs are quite expensive. For implants, all you need is a toothbrush and some floss, as well as regular dental checkups, to keep them as good as new.

You will not have to go through the embarrassing process of removing your teeth every night to clean them, either, which can help boost your self-confidence.

Speaking and Eating

Although some people get used to dentures and learn to speak and eat normally after some time, most simply learn how to deal with them the best they can. Dentures tend to slip and move which is embarrassing when speaking or eating in public.

Food can get stuck between your dentures and gums or palate, and this may cause significant pain. Because dental implants are like natural teeth, they allow you to speak clearly and eat your favorite foods without fear of embarrassment.

Comfort

Another important factor to consider is your comfort. Although dentures can sometimes be comfortable as long as they fit correctly from the start, there is no way to get rid of the “unnatural” feeling associated with having a molded plate affixed to your gums and palate.

Although implants may feel a little odd at first, you will quickly get used to them, and they will start to feel like your very own natural teeth.

Your Overall Oral Health

The last and perhaps most important factor to consider when deciding between dentures and dental implants is your overall oral health. Your teeth play a very important role in maintaining the health of your gums and the bone of your jaw.

When they are gone, there is no more support and your face may physically change. Dental implants help to support the gums and jaw. You may have less complications with dentures, however.

Overall, dental implants are more expensive than dentures, but they can be a great investment in terms of your physical appearance, your comfort, and your health. Advanced Dental Prosthetics can help you achieve the outstanding results you expect when it comes to your smile.