The debate over dentures vs dental implants comes down to your personal choice and your oral health. Both options allow one or more teeth to be replaced with an alternative that looks and functions like real teeth. They can help boost confidence and allow a person to eat food without pain or difficulty. They can also prevent other teeth from getting loose or shifting due to missing teeth.
Both options can be considered for multiple teeth missing or full-mouth restoration. However, dental implants require healthy bone under the gum line for the next steps to take place. If there isn't enough bone or it isn't healthy, a bone graft may need to be completed first for the procedure to continue.
Such options help a person to take care of any remaining teeth. They can help them to talk naturally and to eat a variety of foods. Ongoing dental pain and missing teeth are common reasons to consider dentures or implants.
If you are looking for the very best tooth replacement options in San Diego, look no further than Allred Dental! Dr. Allred is an award-winning dentist who takes a complete-body approach to dentistry, always recommending treatments based on patients' individual needs. Call us today to schedule your consultation!
What are Dentures?
Dentures are removable appliances that fit into the mouth. When a patient has a full set of dentures, they have an upper piece and a lower piece. In other situations, a type of flipper denture is used to replace only one or a few missing teeth. The appliance fits between the other teeth in the mouth and looks natural.
The use of adhesive can help hold them in place for the day. They can be removed with light pressure and washed at night. They can also be brushed like regular teeth. They look like real teeth and often fit well for the design of a person's mouth. Others include a metal frame to them that is light but helps to keep them securely in place.
Benefits of Dentures
Dentures tend to be a good option for those with several missing teeth or problems with tooth decay. It can also be a good option for those with gum disease because their natural teeth will continue to be damaged and painful over time. It may be best to remove all the remaining teeth and go with full dentures. It all depends on the consultation information and the overall health of the person.
Individuals with bone loss or gum problems are a good candidate for dentures. Most patients find they adjust to them in a short amount of time. They find there are comfortable and they no longer have to deal with pain from damaged teeth. Dentures can also improve a person's confidence and smile if they had missing or discolored teeth before.
Dentures are easy to care for, and they can be taken out when need to clean them. It only takes a few visits to be fitted for them and to have the entire process completed. Most dentures look like real teeth so it isn't obvious you have them in either.
Possible Issues with Dentures
It can take time to get used to dentures in the mouth. It can be hard to talk with them at first. They may not fit well until they have been adjusted. This can take some time and may require multiple visits to the dental office. If several teeth were removed before the dentures put in, there may be swelling that puts pressure on the gums. As this goes away, they will fit better.
Dentures can be damaged or destroyed if they are dropped. Care must be taken when taking them out and putting them in. Various types of food may stick to them, and loosen them. Coffee, tea, and wine may stain dentures. If you fail to keep your mouth clean you may develop sores or chronic bad breath due to the dentures.
There is a risk with a particular denture it will cause the surrounding teeth to get looser. They don't offer as much support for them as implants. As a result, additional teeth may have to be removed later on. This would require a new denture to be created to account for those teeth too. Sometimes, they can be added to the current appliance. In other scenarios, a new one has to be created.
Procedure Involved
A mold of the teeth and mouth will be taken to create the dentures. If any teeth are going to be extracted that will be scheduled. Typically, the extractions are scheduled for the day the dentures are ready. This allows the patient to go home with them. The amount of time it will take depends on the condition of the teeth and how many need to be extracted.
The dentist will insert the dentures and make adjustments if needed. They may need to do them again after the mouth heals from the extractions. They will make sure there aren't any sharp edges or problems preventing them from fitting correctly.
Cost of Dentures
The cost of dentures depends on where you get them, what they are made from, and if it is partial or full mouth. The cost is going to be significantly less than dental implants. Most insurance plans will cover some or all of the cost of dentures, but not anything for dental implants.
What are Dental Implants?
When it comes to dental implants vs dentures, many would like to have the implants. They want something permanent, not that they have to take out of their mouth all the time. Implants require several steps for the process to be completed, and it can be uncomfortable as the mouth heals. The amount of time depends on the needs of the patient.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants offer support for other remaining teeth. It can be a good way to prevent them from shifting or getting loose. Most of them have a success rate of 95% or higher and will last 20 years or longer! They will help the jaw bone and your facial structure to remain the same. They are secure and you don't have to worry about them shifting or getting loose while you eat. That is a common concern with dentures.
Possible Issues with Dental Implants
The mouth has to be healthy for dental implants, and that may require additional visits and procedures. Identifying underlying issues and resolving them is important if there will be natural teeth saved. Otherwise, it is just a matter of time before further implants will be necessary.
Procedure Involved
A mold will be taken of the teeth and mouth to create the dental implants. It may be a single tooth or several of them for a given implant procedure. The gum will be opened up and a post inserted. The gum will need to heal before the next step in the process. Temporary teeth will be created from the mold to wear until the permanent implant is finished. For those that need bone grafts, that step has to be completed and healed before the post is placed. Once the post incisions heal the anchor of the tooth or teeth can be added there. The implants will look and function like real teeth. They should be brushed and flossed around.
Cost of Dental Implants
The cost of dental implants is significantly more than dentures. The overall cost depends on the procedure used and other specifics. The number of teeth to be replaced and the number of anchors to hold them in place have to be factored in. Typically, insurance won't cover the cost of implants.
However, they may cover the cost of removing teeth, bone grafting, and other procedures involved in the overall process. Many providers offer in-house financing for dental implants. This allows patients to get the work done now and pay for it over time. They offer a payment plan that fits well into the budget of the patient.
Which is Right for me?
When it comes to dentures vs dental implants, your situation has to be evaluated. Your dentist will take a look in your mouth and complete an x-ray. This allows them to determine any issues with your gums, bone loss, or problems with your teeth. The goal of dentistry is to preserve natural teeth when they are healthy enough to do so.
Most individuals are a good candidate for dentures. They have come a long way from what they used to be. They look natural, they fit well, and they are lighter than they used to be. Implants can be a good solution for someone who has one or two missing teeth, but otherwise a healthy mouth. Not everyone is a good candidate for them. When a person has a significant bone loss or gum disease it is harder for the implants to be completed successfully.
Ready to start your tooth replacement journey? A consultation with Dr. Allred can help you decide which method is best for you. Call us today to schedule your consultation!