Life with a missing tooth or teeth can be difficult and cause a myriad of complications from difficulty eating to cosmetic insecurities. Replacing a missing tooth is the best option for maintaining your dental health. But with so many options available, how do you know what’s right for you? Both dentures and dental implants are possible solutions for replacing missing teeth. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but sometimes one option outweighs the other. Below, we’ll list some of the major factors of dental implants and dentures to consider and compare each option. If you have been considering dentures or dental implants Rochester, continue reading to learn more.
Dentures Vs. Dental Implants
1. Dental Health
Replacing missing teeth can drastically improve your dental health. If you have a tooth missing or several teeth missing, your ability to chew will be impacted. Missing teeth will also impact the stability of the remaining teeth. If a tooth is missing and not replaced, other teeth can shift over time and change a person’s bite.
Dentures: Dentures can prevent your teeth from shifting and will provide a somewhat comfortable solution for chewing.
Implants: Dental implants actually serve as a replacement root for your previous tooth. The bone and tissue will bind to the titanium implant and crown as they would an actual tooth. This will prevent your gums from having gaps, keep your existing teeth from shifting and retain the shape of your jawbone.
2. Appearance
The appearance of having a tooth missing is often the main reason patients want a tooth replacement. Dentures and implants both help with appearance.
Dentures: Dentures can be made to look similar to your existing teeth, but can sometimes look slightly unnatural.[1]
Implants: Dental implants, on the other hand, can be made to match the color and shape of your existing teeth and gums. This makes them almost indistinguishable from your natural tooth.
3. Functionality
After tooth loss, getting full functionality back is important. Both dentures and implants can help with the main functions of your mouth, such as chewing and talking, but dentures do have a few drawbacks that implants do not.
Dentures: While dentures certainly look great and function well, they can slip around as you talk and chew. This makes them uncomfortable and could possibly affect the way you speak and chew. Additionally, eating certain foods are off-limits with dentures.
Implants: Dental implants are secured in place by inserting a titanium screw into your jaw bone, so there is no way they can move or slip around. There are no food restrictions; they function exactly as natural teeth do.
4. Longevity:
The longevity of dentures and implants is vastly different and an important factor to consider when choosing the best option for you.
Dentures: Depending on how well they are cared for, dentures will need to be replaced every 5-7 years.[2]
Implants: Dental implants are intended to be a permanent solution and with proper care can last a lifetime.[3]
5. Cost
Cost is another important factor to carefully consider when deciding on which option is right for you.
Dentures: Dentures are less expensive upfront. However, they need to be replaced and reset over time which could cost more money in the long term.
Implants: Dental Implants are a more expensive upfront option. But they require less costly maintenance than dentures, meaning they will likely save money in the long run.
Dentures and Dental Implants in Rochester
Dental implants and dentures both have several benefits, and the right option depends upon your specific needs. If you need more help or are ready to get started, contact Dental Implants and Periodontal Health of Rochester today at 585-685-2005. We will help you determine the best option to fit your needs and support you every step of the way.
Resources:
[1] https://www.dentalhealth.org/dentures
[2] https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/caring-dentures#2
[3] https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/dental-implants#1
