Dentures and dental implants are both commonly used to replace missing teeth. But how do you know which option is the best for you? The team at Fuller Dental, a dentist in Burlington, NC, discusses the benefits and drawbacks to both options.
Getting Dentures
Removable dentures are often used to replace a whole arch of missing teeth, but partial dentures are available as well. They’re made up of a resin and metal base that supports ceramic or plastic teeth. Some of the best benefits of dentures include their cheaper upfront price and the speed at which you can get your restoration since there’s no surgical element.
However, dentures come with many drawbacks as well. While you don’t pay a lot for them upfront, you incur more costs in the years to come. When you’re missing teeth, the jawbone in those areas begins to deteriorate. Since dentures don’t replace the tooth roots, the deterioration will continue even with your restoration. The dentures will need to be readjusted or replaced to make sure they’re able to function and be comfortable for you.
Dentures only give you back 30-40% of your bite function as well. You’ll have to get rid of certain foods in your diet because the dentures are unable to take them on. They require an adhesive to stay in your mouth and can slip or fall out when you’re eating or speaking. Because they’re removable and have sticky adhesive, they need to be taken out at night to be properly cleaned.
Dental Implants: What to Know
Dental implants are made up of three separate parts. First, a titanium post is surgically placed in your jawbone. Next, a piece called an abutment is placed to attach the post to the final restoration. Most commonly, the final restoration is a custom dental crown. However, dental implants can also support a fixed bridge or denture.
With dental implants, price is one of the biggest drawbacks. However, while they cost more upfront, you don’t incur costs down the line. Implants are the only tooth replacement option that replaces the tooth root. This stops further deterioration of the jawbone and can help reverse the deterioration that’s already occurred. You won’t need to adjust or replace implants.
Implants also give you back 100% of your bite function. While they do have a surgical element that takes 3-6 months to heal, that’s because the post has to fuse with the jawbone. This is what gives implants the stability they’re known for. You don’t have to use adhesive to keep them in or worry about them slipping or falling out.
Lastly, even with modern advancements in dentistry, dentures are still bulky and require a learning curve to get used to. Dental implants are the most natural in terms of both look and feel. There’s no learning curve and they feel like a natural tooth. They don’t require extra maintenance, either. Just brush, floss, and visit the dentist regularly.
Tooth Replacement at Your Burlington, North Carolina Dentist
Make sure you get the right restoration to replace your missing teeth. Call us or schedule an appointment online.