Americans are taking much better care of their teeth than in decades past. But one in twenty middle-aged adults is missing all of their teeth.
You can prevent the decay and loss of your teeth by taking care of them daily. Brush and floss every day to prevent the need for false replacements.
If you do face the problem of losing teeth, you have options. You’ll need to consider dental implants vs. dentures. Use this comparison guide to help you make this important decision.
Denture Benefits
If you’re missing all of your teeth, dentures are the traditional route. They’re also a more affordable option. Once in place, they’ll function similar to your natural teeth.
Placing dentures can help enhance your looks by providing the cheek and lip support that your teeth provided. This rectifies the collapsed look that happens when someone loses all of their teeth.
Implant Benefits
You can use an implant to replace one or several teeth that are missing. This gives you more flexibility in your dental repair options.
They’re also a permanent option since they’re a titanium post that’s surgically implanted into the jaw. Once in place, they don’t require any special maintenance beyond your regular cleaning routine.
Implants won’t twist, warp, or bend over time. You also have less chance of breaking them.
Denture Drawbacks
Dentures require the wearer to adopt a new maintenance routine to care for the dentures. They need to be removed and cleaned to prevent the buildup of bacteria. You also need to remove them when you sleep.
They also don’t contribute to the underlying jawbone health. Your jaw generates new bone as a result of the stimulate of your chewing. Dentures don’t provide this stimulation and result in a loss of bone mass in the jaw over time.
Some wearers find that it becomes difficult to hold their dentures in place over time due to the loss of muscle mass. Then others report that they have a reduced ability to taste.
Implant Drawbacks
While implants sound like the perfect replacement for your natural teeth, they aren’t for everyone. They’re more expensive and more invasive.
You also need to have enough jawbone to support the implant. If you’ve experienced bone loss, implants may not work for you.
Don’t lose hope; there are methods for regrowing jawbone. You may not be a candidate right now, but could be possible in the future.
Dental Implants vs. Dentures: What Will You Choose?
If you’re missing multiple or all of your teeth, then it’s time to consider dental implants vs. dentures. Both options are the best solution to maintain your looks, confidence, and normal mouth function.
Deciding between the two options is best done with the help of an experienced dentist. They can assess your situation and recommend the best option for you.
Contact our office today to discuss your current dental health and possible solutions for your missing teeth.
