Should You Get Dental Implants or Dentures?

If you need to replace missing teeth, dentures and dental implants are two of the most popular choices for tooth replacement. But how do you know which one is the right choice for you? Dr. Bradley Dean discusses the benefits and features of both dentures and dental implants in Plano, TX.Plano Texas dental implants

Dentures

Dentures are false teeth that are typically used to replace a full arch of missing teeth. They’re usually made of resin and metal for the base and plastic or ceramic for the false teeth. Dentures are typically removable and require adhesive to stay in the mouth. The biggest benefits of dentures are the up-front cost and the time it takes to create them.

Dentures are typically ready in about 3-6 weeks. They also cost significantly less than dental implants at the start. However, you may need to get them readjusted or replaced down the line. When you have missing teeth, the tooth root is missing as well. This means that your jawbone deteriorates, so dentures will fit differently with time.

While it’s easy and quick to replace your teeth with dentures, they only give you back about 30-40% of your bite function. They’re often bulky, even with advancements in the technology, and take time for you to get used to them. They don’t feel natural and it takes some practice to eat, speak, and bite normally.

Dental Implants

Dental implants consist of three separate parts. First, a titanium post is what’s actually implanted in your jawbone. An abutment is placed on top of that, serving as a connector between the post and final restoration. Last, the final restoration is what replaces your missing teeth. While it’s normally a dental crown, dental implants can also support a dental bridge or fixed denture.

The biggest downsides to dental implants are that they’re expensive and take a long time to complete. Since they have a surgical component, this takes a long time to heal before the process can be completed. However, there are reasons why dental implants are considered the gold standard of tooth replacement.

Implants are a permanent restoration. They won’t require adjustments or replacements down the line. This is because implants are the only option that replaces the tooth root. This helps prevent jawbone deterioration and can actually stimulate jawbone growth. The bone fuses with the implant post to ensure stability.

There’s no extra maintenance to implants either. You simply have to take care of them with a normal oral health routine of brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly. They don’t need adhesive to stay in, either. You get 100% of your bite function back and they feel like your natural teeth in your mouth. You can speak and eat with ease.

All-On-Four

If you want the easy full-mouth restoration of dentures, but the stability of dental implants, All-On-Four may be the right choice for you. It uses fewer dental implants, so it’s less expensive than a full mouth of implants. An array of 4-6 dental implants are placed and a denture is attached to them. This is a fixed denture that you can treat like a normal set of teeth, unlike a removable denture.

Getting Dental Implants in Plano, Texas

Do dental implants sound like the right choice for you? Call us or schedule an appointment online.