In days past, if you lost a tooth you were subject to living the rest of your life with a gap in your smile. Luckily, modern dentistry has given us options to replace missing teeth: dentures and dental implants.
Whether you are missing one tooth or many, your dentist can help you choose the right replacement for you.
While both options get the job done, you should familiarize yourself with the advantages of each so you can make your decision an educated one.
Advantages of Dentures
A denture is a removable dental appliance made of acrylic plastic (or sometimes porcelain) and metal that replaces missing teeth and tissues. Because of advances in dentistry, dentures are more natural-looking and comfortable than ever before. A denture can improve your appearance, help you chew properly and speak well again.
Depending on your situation, you may need either partial or complete dentures. Advantages to dentures include:
- More cost-effective than implants
- Less time consuming
- People who grind their teeth may not be suitable for dental implants
Advantages of Dental Implants
Dental implants are small dental appliances surgically inserted into the upper and/or lower jaws to replace one or more missing or diseased teeth.
Today, more people are choosing dental implants over removable dentures or fixed bridges. Dental implants offer several advantages for people who want to replace their missing, diseased or decayed teeth. For example, dental implants:
- Stay in place. They don’t slip or cause clicking sounds when you eat or speak
- Help with proper chewing
- Promote “denture self-confidence,” as speech and appearance are often improved
- Do not need to be removed each night for soaking and cleaning and do not require adhesives to keep them in place
- Do not need to be replaced every 7-15 years
Make sure to speak to your dentist about the options you are considering. All mouths are different and your dentist can help you decide the best option for you.
