Dental Implants or Dentures: Which One Should I Choose?

Should I Choose: ‘Should I get dental implants or dentures?’ patients often ask us. If you have missing teeth, you, too, might be weighing that decision. Let’s look at both options and see which one best meets your needs.

Dental Implants: The Pros and Cons

Dental implants are permanent replacements for your missing teeth. Although they do require minor surgery to implant them in your jaw, they function much like your natural teeth once you’ve healed.

That can be a game-changer for people with missing teeth. After the implant surgery, your jawbone will grow around the artificial tooth’s titanium ‘root’ to keep it secure, making up for the bone loss that occurs after you lose a tooth.

That’s not the only benefit a permanent dental implant offers. Because the ‘root’ of the implant is titanium metal, your implant will be tough enough to handle practically any type of food. And, since titanium is a fairly inert metal, it won’t break down under the acids that result from breaking down your favourite foods.

If you have any remaining natural teeth, your dentist can match the crowns on your new implant to match, making them look like your real teeth. With today’s dental technology, people will never know the difference.

However, dental implants do have their downsides. They are usually more expensive than dentures, require several surgeries and other procedures over several months, and won’t work in people with conditions that impede bone healing.

Dentures: The Pros and Cons

Dentures are artificial teeth that attach to your mouth with a strong adhesive. They’re removable, so you can take them out of your mouth and give them a thorough cleaning.

Dentures are also a great choice if you have significant bone loss since your dentist can fit them to the shape of your gums. They don’t depend on having healthy bone to implant them into.

They’re also much less expensive than implants and require no surgery. You’ll usually get your prosthetic teeth in weeks, not months.

However, dentures are not a permanent solution. Since the contours of your mouth change over the years, you’ll need a few refits during your lifetime. And, dentures don’t have the benefit of encouraging new bone growth in your jaw.

What If I Only Have a Few Missing Teeth?

If you have only a few missing teeth, a bridge might be your best choice. Bridges are partial dentures that your dentist will permanently affix to your remaining teeth. Like regular dentures, they won’t stimulate bone growth, but they do look and function like your natural teeth.

When you’re considering a replacement for your missing teeth, it pays to consult with your dentist to go over your options. After a thorough examination, your dentist will have a better grasp of what options would work best for you.

Don’t suffer from the inconvenience and embarrassment of missing teeth. Learn what the Integrity Dental team can do for you. Contact us today!