Dentures and dental implants are two very different solutions to the same problem. If you are looking at a future with no natural teeth, do you want to spend the rest of your life with your teeth next to you in a glass?
It’s time. You’ve been putting it off for a while, but the pain or lack of functionality is impacting your life. Your dentist has recommended you have all your teeth removed, and they have given you two options; dentures, or dental implants. Both are good options, and what’s right for someone else may not be right for you. So which is for you and how do you choose?
Dentures are a full set of prosthetic teeth. They are moulded to fit the shape of your gums once your dentist has removed all your teeth. They come with a natural-looking ‘gum’ that leads into the ‘teeth’. There’s two sets, one for top and one for bottom. These are removable and need to be taken out for cleaning and sleeping.
This is a procedure where titanium posts are surgically inserted into the jaw. It is also called an all-on-four or all-on-six procedure, as each arch of the mouth has four- or six- implants. These implants fuse with the bone, becoming part of the jaw. Then, a dentist fits prosthetic teeth onto the implants. These are permanent and also known as a fixed removable full arch bridge.
What is important to you is different to other people. Take time to weigh up the benefits of each procedure and speak to your dentist about which is the best option for your situation.
The first thing to consider is cost. Dental implants are more expensive than dentures. However, that is the up-front cost. Once those implants are in, they are there for life, and if maintained correctly, should not require any further intervention.
Dentures are cheaper to begin with, but they do wear out. As well as wear and tear, the jaw can shrink from bone loss, making the dentures move around more. This, over time, will require either adjustments or a new set of dentures.
If you had a grandparent with false teeth, you may have memories of their teeth, looming menacingly in a glass of water on a nightstand. These days, the quality of dentures has improved considerably, and they do look more natural.
However, dental implants not only look natural, but they also feel natural. You won’t even remember that they aren’t your natural teeth.
Dentures will require maintenance or replacement at some point. As well as general wear and tear, they can be damaged by some foods.
Dental implants are incredibly robust. Due to the fusion of bone and implant, your teeth prosthetics are part of your mouth. If they are cared for, dental implants could last for the remainder of your life, easily more than 20 years.
Arguably the biggest downfall of dentures is that your diet will likely change. There are a range of foods that are unsuitable to eat with dentures. Some people also struggle to speak clearly with dentures. They may slur, mumble or lisp, and are unable to adapt to this, which can seriously affect their confidence.
With dental implants, your teeth are as strong as your natural teeth were. This means you can eat steak, apples, corn on the cob, anything you want. There are almost no limitations. In much the same way, speech with dental implants is normal. There may be a period of adjustment, but people can speak and articulate words clearly.
Once your existing teeth are removed, dentures require no surgery. And dentures can be fitted very soon after an extraction, making it a quick fix.
Dental implants do require surgery to get the implants fitted. Then, it requires a period of a few months after the surgery for the gums and bone to heal. During this period you will wear a temporary full arch bridge which will be fixed to your new implants and once fully healed your final set of teeth be affixed.
Your decision should be made in conjunction with a consultation with your dentist or dental surgeon. Some people may not be able to get implants, due to the presence of some medical conditions or poor health of the jawbone.
There’s an old saying among dental surgeons, that no patient should live with their teeth next to them in a glass. Dental implants are a permanent, attractive, stable and simple solution to missing teeth. With the advances in technology making this more accessible, more accurate and with decreased healing time, dental implants have fast become the gold standard for permanent tooth replacement. Gaining a permanent, aesthetically pleasing and stable set of teeth for life is an easy choice.
