Dentures Vs Implants
Deciding between dentures and implants?
If you’re weighing the pros and cons of dentures vs implants, you know that it’s a difficult choice to make. You have to factor in cost, longevity, health, and a number of other factors before you can reach an informed decision. Since your teeth are one of the first things people notice about you, you want to ensure that they’re making a good first impression.
But, fixing or replacing your teeth is more than an aesthetic choice.
Your teeth allow you to enjoy the foods you love. They’re an essential part of your day-to-day life. And, they even help to build the density of your jawbone. So, when you’re having issues with damaged, broken, or missing teeth, it’s crucial that you investigate all of your options. Two of the most popular choices, of course, are dentures and dental implants. In this post, we’re going to discuss the pros and cons of both of these options.
Do you really need dentures or dental implants?
Before you make any decision, you first need to determine if you actually need dentures or implants. By having a discussion with your dentist, you can explore options that may better fit your situation, including bridges or crowns. In the end, if you decide that those options won’t work for your lifestyle, you’ll need to weigh the benefits of dentures vs implants. But, before we go any further, it’s important to understand what dental implants are.
What’s the cost of dentures vs implants?
Nearly every patient considers cost a factor when deciding between dentures and implants. With both requiring a sizable investment, you want to be confident that you get your money’s worth. And, with dental implants costing considerably more than dentures, you want to be absolutely certain you’re making the right choice.
On average, dentures last five to ten years before they need to be replaced. If you’re fifty years old, you could replace your dentures eight times in your lifetime. On the other hand, with proper care, full-arch dental implants could last the rest of your life. And, because they don’t require sweeping changes to your dental hygiene routine, you can easily get into the habit of keeping your new smile healthy.
Are implants or dentures easier to maintain?
Caring for your dental implants requires you to continue your normal oral hygiene routine. You’ll want to brush at least twice per day, floss daily, and use mouthwash to ensure they stay healthy. One of the most common causes of failure in dental implants is improper care. So, if you’ve had trouble maintaining your daily oral hygiene habits in the past, you’ll want to be extra sure that you’re willing to adjust and care for your new implants.
Dentures, however, do require an adjustment to your daily hygiene routine. Typically, they shouldn’t be worn overnight and, instead, should be cleaned by soaking in a special solution. In addition to this, they don’t preserve your bite, which means dentures will need to be relined or refitted every few years.
What’s the healthier option between dentures vs implants?
Most people don’t know that teeth play an important role in preserving the shape of their face. Consistent bite force builds jaw strength and, over time, improves bone density. And, when you lose a tooth, your body will often re-absorb unused minerals in the jaw where it once was. When this happens, your jaw loses structural integrity, which can cause nearby teeth to shift.
If you want to preserve bone density, maintain your face’s shape, and keep your oral hygiene simple, implants are the best choice.
When examining the pros and cons of dentures vs implants, you must take your long-term health into consideration. Implants work to preserve bone density, ensure you can maintain a healthy diet, and can even help to avoid heart disease and diabetes.
When are dental implants a better option than dentures?
At West Wind Dental, we strive to educate all of our patients. We want to arm every patient with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their oral health. Our team works closely with every patient to understand their lifestyle, their goals, and their individual needs. Whether you’re needing to replace a single tooth, a full arch, or anything in between, we’re here to help.
We firmly believe that dental implants are, in many cases, a more comprehensive solution than dentures. If you’re missing multiple teeth, there’s simply no better option. As we want to ensure that our patients are acting in their long-term interests, we typically recommend dental implants for patients looking to improve both their smile and their oral health.
So, if you’re still weighing the benefits of dentures vs implants, we encourage you to continue your research. Of course, our team would be more than happy to answer any questions that you might have.
Dr. Andrew Hamilton, DDS, FAGD
Dr. Hamilton is an active member of several professional organizations including the American Dental Association (ADA), the Michigan Dental Association (MDA), the Kalamazoo Valley District Dental Society (KVDDS), the American Academy of Implant dentistry (AAID), the International Academy of Facial Aesthetics (IAFA) and also attends courses with the Pikos Institute in Northwest Florida. He is a member of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICIO), has achieved fellowship status in the International Dental Implant Association (IDIA) and in the Academy of General Dentistry (FAGD), has graduated from and is an alumnus of the Kois Center program in Seattle, and is on the faculty of the Global Dental Implant Academy (GDIA).
The little spare time left over is spent Steelhead and Salmon fishing and the occasional round of golf.