Whether you have one missing tooth or several, deciding between tooth replacement options can be difficult. Should you choose dental implants or full or partial dentures to replace them? There are various factors to consider in deciding which treatment is right for you.
Let’s take a look at those considerations to help you feel confident in whichever you choose, dental implants or dentures.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are composed of three parts:
- The implant that screws into your jawbone.
- The abutment that connects the implant to a crown.
- The crown that fits over the abutment.
It is important that your bone density be sufficient for bonding with the implant.
Dental implants function like your natural teeth, and you care for them in the same way. If you take good care of them, they can last a lifetime. Research indicates they fail in between 5% and 10% of cases.
How are Dentures Different from Dental Implants?
Dentures are removable prosthetic teeth that can be used to replace a few missing teeth or an entire dental arcade. The former are called partial dentures, whereas the latter are referred to as full dentures.
To clean dentures, you remove them from your mouth, soak them in a cleaning solution, and then brush them. Because your bite changes over time, particularly if you have missing teeth, dentures need to be refitted from time to time.
Which is Better for You?
Deciding which is better for you depends on several factors. Here are some things to consider.
Age
If you’re under 60 years old, you can expect to enjoy your dental implants for several decades. However, older individuals may prefer dentures, particularly if they don’t want to go through the more invasive procedure necessary for implants.
Bone Density
As mentioned above, it is vital that your jawbone is sufficiently dense to support the dental implant. Unfortunately, you can lose bone density as you age, but also as a result of gum disease, tooth loss, and certain lifestyle habits like smoking.
If your bone is not dense enough, it is possible to get a bone graft to increase its density. That is, however, a more invasive and expensive process. For people with low jawbone density, dentures may be a better choice.
How They Function and Feel
Both dentures and dental implants can get the job done, but implants tend to feel more comfortable. People with dental implants can also chew better than those with dentures.
The Hygiene Factor
It’s also essential to be honest about how much effort you want to take to care for your prosthetic teeth. Dentures typically require more specialized care than dental implants, which you care for and brush regularly as you do now with your natural teeth.
While dentures are less expensive initially, if you don’t care for them properly, you could end up spending more on replacements over time.
Call Us with Your Questions!
If you’re not sure whether you should choose dental implants or full or partial dentures, we’re happy to discuss your options. Give our office a call today, and we will happily help you decide what is best for you!