Dentures and dental implants have a lot in common, allowing those who are missing some or all of their teeth to live life as normal and without having to worry about their smile. The two options do have some key differences, however. We’ll examine just how they differ and explore their relative advantages so that you can better understand your options and decide which is right for you.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are prosthetic teeth that are held in place with a special adhesive, but can still be easily removed and reinserted. They are typically removed at the end of the day, at which point they are cleaned and then left in a cleaning solution overnight, ready to be put back in the next morning.
Although the stereotypical image of dentures is of those that replace a full set of teeth, partial dentures are also available, allowing you to replace only the missing teeth while keeping your healthy and intact teeth.
What Are Implants?
Dental implants are a fixed, permanent solution to missing teeth. With implants, the root of the tooth is replaced by a metal post and, once the gums and jawbone have healed from this process, a prosthetic tooth known as a crown is attached to the top of the post, giving the appearance of a regular tooth.
It’s possible to have anywhere between a single implant and a completely new set of teeth, depending on your needs and how many of your own teeth you have remaining.
The Shared Benefits
Both dentures and dental implants can provide the appearance of a full set of healthy teeth, and both can remedy the difficulties with eating and speaking that can come from having lost teeth. Both options are also able to replace as many or as few teeth as needed.
The Key Differences
Despite their shared purpose and many similarities, there are a few key differences between dentures and dental implants that can make one option a better fit for your individual circumstances.
Permanence
Although the crowns will likely need to be replaced after 15 to 20 years, dental implants are a more permanent solution than dentures in more ways than one. Not only do they need to be replaced significantly less often than dentures, a full set of which is likely to last only five to ten years, but they will stay in your mouth permanently. This will definitely be a positive for most people, but could mean getting dentures feels less intimidating for some people.
The Procedure
Although you’ll have to have appointments with your dentist for them to take impressions of your gums and to have your dentures fitted, the process is relatively easy and non-invasive. The opposite is true of dental implants. They’re a surgical solution, requiring significant work to implant the post or posts into your jawbone and then an additional appointment to have the crowns fitted once your gums and bone have healed.
The Cost
Even though they require more frequent replacements, dentures will almost always work out to be the cheaper option, with an individual dental implant sometimes even costing as much as a full set of dentures. This makes sense, however, when considering that surgery is required to fit the implants.
The Feel
This is a highly subjective difference and will vary from person to person. You may have your own preferences about which option feels better to you, but implants have the potential to feel more like “real” teeth due to their permanence and the fact that they are firmly rooted into your jaw the way natural teeth would be.
Requirements
Unlike dentures, which are suitable for anyone, dental implants require a sufficient amount of bone to allow the posts to be implanted. This means that they may not be an option for those with bone loss in their jaw. Bone graft surgery can be performed to remedy this but many would rather avoid this more extensive surgical work and the costs associated with it.
Hygiene and Cleaning
Dental implants act just like regular teeth and are cleaned in the same way, meaning that as long as you have a good oral hygiene routine involving brushing and flossing, you’ll not need to change anything. Dentures, on the other hand, need to be removed and cleaned each night, and you’ll need to be committed to this to avoid any issues developing with your mouth or with the dentures themselves.
Making Your Decision and Taking The Next Steps
Whether you already know which option you’d prefer, or you have questions and are seeking more information, the best way forward is to speak to a qualified dental professional. They’ll be able to give you all the information you need to make a confident and fully informed decision that works for you personally.
At Coast Dental Centre (your dentist in Maple Ridge), we have experience fitting both dentures and dental implants and would be more than happy to advise you about either treatment. Contact us today to arrange an appointment with one of our friendly and experienced dentists.
