Your oral health is an important part of your overall health. If you have dental problems, it’s important to get them treated right away, before they result in digestive problems, respiratory infections, cardiovascular disease, or other health problems. Missing teeth definitely qualify as a dental problem. A missing tooth is not only the result of oral health issues, but a failure to replace it can also cause further problems with your remaining teeth, including decay, misaligned bite, and tooth loss.
Replacing your missing teeth can restore function and reduce your risk of developing certain health complications. It can also help you maintain your facial structure, boost your confidence, and improve your quality of life. But with the variety of tooth replacement options, how do you know which ones are the best? Is it better to have dentures or dental implants? Read on for more information.
Dental implants vs dentures
The best tooth replacement option depends on a number of factors specific to the individual. When comparing dental implants vs dentures, for example, dental implants are the clear winner in terms of the overall function, comfort, convenience, and health benefits. But if you’re looking for an immediate, low-cost solution, dentures might be a better choice. Here are some factors to consider if you’re trying to decide between dentures and dental implants.
Surgical vs non-surgical
Dental implants involve a surgical procedure to place the implants into your jawbone. The implant fuses to the bone over time, creating a secure anchor for the prosthetic tooth. Dentures, on the other hand, do not require surgery.
Time
The dental implant process is not immediate. After the implants are placed, the process of fusing to bone (osseointegration) can take six months or more. For people with insufficient bone density, a bone graft procedure may be required prior to placing the implants, adding even more time to the process. Sometimes it takes a year or more to complete the dental implant process. The process for getting dentures is much shorter, usually between 6 weeks and 3 months.
Health benefits
Dental implants are the only tooth-replacement option that replaces the entire tooth, from crown to root. This has a significant impact on your oral health as well as your overall health and your facial aesthetics. When a tooth root is missing, the jawbone begins to atrophy. The process doesn’t take long, and it can not only cause the remaining teeth to shift and loosen but the face to change shape as well. By replacing the tooth root, the dental implant helps to stimulate jawbone growth, support your oral health, and keep you looking like you.
Cost
Dental implants cost quite a bit more up front than dentures do. But if you’re replacing a whole arch of teeth, you may be able to get a full arch of prosthetic teeth with just four or six implants. This will give you the same great benefits at a lower cost than if you’d replaced every individual tooth with an implant. Dentures are still easier on the budget, though they do need to be replaced more often.
Comfort
Even the highest quality dentures will eventually begin to shift and slip. This is because the missing teeth roots cause the jaw to deteriorate, and as it does, the dentures lose their tight fit. This causes both physical and social discomfort. Dental implants, on the other hand, are secured to the jawbone, allowing for proper function and a comfortable feel, just like natural teeth, with no embarrassing slippage.
When it comes to the best tooth replacement option, dental implants provide the most benefits and the most comfortable and natural-looking results. But they may not be the best option for everyone. To find out if dental implants are right for you, come see us at San Diego Periodontics and Implant Dentistry today.
More questions on Dentures Or Dental Implants?
At San Diego Periodontology and Implant Dentistry, you’re in the hands of Dr. Kennie Kwok, a highly skilled and dedicated dental implant surgeon who offers top-tier dental services using state-of-the-art dental technology in an office designed for patient comfort. For more information on our services or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kwok, give us a call at (619) 543-0905 today.
