What Are The Differences Between Dental Implants And Dentures?

A Toothy Dilemma: Picking Between Dentures And Dental Implants

A missing tooth won’t just affect your confidence when you smile. It could lead to difficulty in chewing and speaking, gum infections, or even bone loss.

But missing teeth don’t have to stay missing! Most people have the option of wearing dentures or getting dental implants to fill in the holes. Each method has its own strengths, weaknesses, and requirements for each patient, but they both do the job of restoring your smile.

Here are the major differences between dentures and implants:

What Are The Differences Between Dentures And Dental Implants?

Dentures are removable replacement teeth, which come in full or partial sets. They’re custom-fitted to each patient and are fully removable.

Dental implants involve a titanium replacement root form that’s embedded in the jawbone, with a prosthetic tooth that’s covered by a life-like crown or cap. The titanium implant bonds with the bone in a process called osseointegrationwhich helps preserve the jawbone as well as anchor the implant in place.

Reliability

Dentures are fitted around patients’ gums and existing teeth to keep them secure, though they may loosen over time as one’s bone structure changes. On the other hand, dental implants are a far more permanent solution, as they fuse directly to the bone and offer a solid and secure base to attach teeth.

Cost

Dentures are very affordable, easy to implement, and function as an immediate solution – while dental implants are a long-term investment that requires more funding and patience. With that said, dental implants offer many advantages that dentures lack such as: easy maintenance, a realistic appearance, and permanency.

Comfort

Because dental implants are rooted to the jaw, just like real teeth, they’re very comfortable and feel natural. Dentures, on the other hand, may require a bit of an adjustment period and can cause significant issues like:

• Popping out in day-to-day life
• Impacted speaking ability
• Uncomfortable eating
• Inability to taste food properly

Ideal Patient

Most people are great candidates for dental implants, although they need to have sufficient jawbone support and a clean bill of health to avoid complications. On the other hand, nearly anyone can be fitted with dentures!

Effect On Bone Loss

Ill-fitting dentures may cause bone loss over their coverage area because they exert excessive pressure on the jawbone. Dental implants don’t have this problem and can stop bone loss in its tracks.

Get Premium Implants And Dentures At Always About Smiles

Whether you need dentures or dental implants in Bethlehem, PA, Always About Smiles has you covered! We’ve been serving the people of Bethlehem for years, offering everything from cosmetic and restorative dentistry to dental emergency management. Contact us and book an appointment now!