Dentures vs. implants: How to choose?

There are several choices for replacing one or more lost teeth, including dentures and implants. Choosing the best solution depends on various factors, including cost, personal desire, and the condition of your jawbone and remaining teeth.  

Dentures and implants offer pros and cons, so it's essential to thoroughly examine your options with your dentist. It's also worth looking into other options for dentures and implants, like dental bridges.  

Dentures and implants both serve the same objective in the end. They:  

• Assist you in chewing meals that you might not be able to eat otherwise.  
• Supports facial muscles.
• You may improve your speech, boost your self-esteem, and lessen your self-consciousness by giving yourself a good smile.  

There are, nevertheless, substantial distinctions between the two dental remedies. Following are some pros and cons of each to consider before making a selection.  

Procedure   

Dental Implants  

Implants need enough bone to accommodate screw-like implants topped with crowns. According to 2018 research, they have grown in popularity recently, particularly among those aged 55 to 64. 

• Before placing a dental implant, your orthodontist will extract a damaged root. After removing the root, your dentist will drill a hole into the jawbone.  
• A post, a metal prosthetic root, is placed deep into the bone. The crown will be put to the top of the post when the bone starts to form around it, locking it in place.  
• It may take several months for the post to be ready for an abutment, the piece to which the crown will be attached.   
• The final step is to affix a crown — an artificial tooth that matches the surrounding teeth — to the abutment.  

Dentures   

Dentures are customizable, removable prosthetic teeth that fit your mouth regardless of bone density.  

• Dentures can be complete sets that replace all teeth in the upper or lower jaws or partial sets that replace a few missing teeth.  
• Dentures are manufactured by obtaining a replica of your upper or lower gums if complete dentures are required.  
• Before making the dentures, your dentist will examine your bite and the alignment of your upper and lower jaws to ensure that the length of the dentures allows for appropriate chewing and speech.  
• After that, an initial set of dentures are made in a lab and delivered to your dentist. Before producing a final set of dentures, your dentist will fit the dentures in your mouth and makes any necessary alterations to the alignment or length of the teeth.  
• Dentures look like natural teeth and gums and are set in place by a special glue attaches them to your gums.  

Cost   

Dentures and other procedures, such as bridges, are less expensive than dental implants.  

The American Dental Association (ADA) says that an implant can cost between $1,600 and $2,200 per tooth, depending on the location of the dentist's practice and other considerations.  

According to the ADA, the average cost of a whole set of upper dentures is slightly more than $1,600, and complete bottom dentures are almost the same.  

Maintenance  

Dental implant care is identical to routine oral hygiene for natural teeth. This includes brushing with a soft-bristle brush at least twice daily, flossing, and having regular checkups.  

However, dentures require daily maintenance for long-run function. They should soak in water or a particular cleaning solution during that time. You should wait to wear them overnight.  

Remove dentures after eating and brush them to clean them. You may also need to brush away any remaining glue on your gums.  

Dentures require refitting from time to time since your bite changes. On the other hand, dental implants are permanent installations that may necessitate replacement crowns if the original crowns fracture or break.  

Risks   

Research shows dental implants are generally safe and efficient remedies for missing teeth. Still, they can have several consequences, including infection and mechanical issues (loose posts, cracked crowns). Dental implant failures occur at a rate of 5 to 10%. The most typical complications of dentures include:  

• Dentures that do not stay in place.
• Sores (ulcerations) on the gums.  

How to choose between dentures and dental implants?   

Consider the following considerations before deciding your dental future:  

Age  

Because dental implants are more permanent alternatives, people in their 60s and younger may prefer them. The reason is that they may anticipate wearing their prosthetic teeth for several decades.  

Older persons may prefer dentures, particularly those who do not want to go through the more time-consuming and intrusive procedures associated with implants.  

Bone density   

Implants require a precise amount of jawbone material to support the posts. You may not be a good candidate for implants if you have lost bone material due to an injury, aging, gum disease, or tooth loss. 

To boost jawbone density, dentists recommend dental bone grafting. However, it is a more expensive and time-consuming process.  

Function   

Dental implants may be more comfortable and enable better chewing than dentures.  

However, according to 2019 research, those with implants, dentures, or a combination of dentures and implants — were more satisfied with their comfort and chewing efficiency than those with regular dentures.  

Hygiene   

If you are unable or unlikely to take the time to care for your dentures properly, you should consider implants. Implants are less upkeep but more expensive.  

You must be honest about your daily willingness and capacity to care for your dentures.  

What are alternatives to dentures and implants?   

A dental bridge might replace a gap if you miss one or more teeth. A bridge, often known as a fixed partial denture, attaches to neighboring teeth for support.  

According to Research, many people who have dental bridges are satisfied with them, but there must be more patient education about the proper care and maintenance of these devices.  

Conclusion   

Make your decision between dentures and implants carefully and in conjunction with your dentist.  

Though implants are more expensive, they have the potential to provide 20 or more years of service as compared to dentures. Dentures may require periodic adjustments or replacements over time.  

Suppose you carefully analyze your alternatives for replacing lost teeth, your priorities, and what you want the prostheses to accomplish. In that case, you should be able to make a confident final decision.

Contact your Lafayette dentist, Dr. Massood Darvishzadeh, DDS at Lafayette Dental Group, to learn more about dentures and implants.

Resource:

Partial and Full Dentures

*Neither this nor any other content in this media is meant to prescribe, recommend, or prevent any treatment or procedure. We highly recommend that you get the advice of a qualified dentist or other medical practitioners regarding your specific dental condition.*