Detailed Comparison Between Dental Implants and Dentures
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Tooth loss can impact self-confidence and self-esteem; if this affects you, finding a solution quickly is important. Two popular choices include dental implants and implant-supported dentures or traditional dentures.
This article explains more about each choice and the benefits, enabling you to understand their differences. Gaining a better understanding will help you make the right decision based on your unique oral health needs and desires.
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Dental implants are small posts or screws that are surgically implanted in the jawbone. They soon become fused in the jawbone, forming a strong anchorage point that holds restorations firmly in place.
These can support a permanent restoration like an implant bridge or single implant crowns. Dental implants can also support an implant denture.
A dental implant bridge is suitable for restoring multiple teeth that were originally side-by-side and can even be used to restore a complete arch of teeth. The bridge looks much the same as a traditional bridge, consisting of crowns fitted over the implants and supporting the replacement teeth called pontics between them.
When two dental implants are optimally inserted, they can support several pontics between them. If you wish to replace a complete arch of teeth, then you will most likely need four to six dental implants for good support and stability. Sometimes, a dentist will recommend a greater number of implants for increased strength and longevity.
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A dental implant bridge provides several important advantages that include:
A dental implant crown is ideal for replacing a missing tooth. The single implant post can be covered with a beautiful crown that looks and feels just like a real tooth. Usually, it is impossible to tell the difference between a real tooth and an implant crown, and it provides excellent functionality.
A dental implant crown has similar advantages to a dental implant bridge. It will be custom-designed to provide excellent functionality and has good strength and stability. With an implant crown, you can eat just about anything you wish, and there shouldn’t be any foods that are off the menu.
When you think of dentures, you probably imagine those worn by older relatives and friends that are removable and often cause problems because they become loose and uncomfortable. Implant-supported dentures are very different.
These look like traditional dentures but are far more stable and provide a much greater biting strength than ordinary dentures. Unlike traditional dentures that rely on suction or messy denture adhesives, implant-supported dentures snap or click onto dental implants in your jawbone.
Once the denture is clicked into place, it cannot move or shift position. It will remain firmly in your mouth until you choose to unclip it or snap it out for cleaning.
Sometimes, as few as two or four dental implants are needed to support an implant denture.
An implant-supported denture can provide several important benefits, including:
Additionally, because of the way treatment is planned, there is often less need for other procedures like bone grafting or gum grafting that may be required with more traditional implant treatment.
Although most people will initially prefer non-removable teeth like a dental implant bridge, an implant-supported denture can be a good option. It provides many of the benefits of an implant bridge at a lower cost. Because it is removable, it can be easier to care for, especially if dexterity is an issue.
Traditional dentures have a gum-coloured acrylic base that supports natural-looking denture teeth. They rely solely on the gum and bone for support and retention, and they must be removed and left out overnight for the gums to recover.
Partial dentures can be strengthened with metal, and metal clasps can fit around existing natural teeth, providing additional strength and stability. Sometimes, the clasps are visible in the mouth.
Advantages of choosing traditional dentures can include:
However, dentures can become increasingly ill-fitting over time due to jawbone resorption that occurs naturally after tooth loss. The jawbone loss destabilizes dentures, so they start to slip around and rub uncomfortably on the gums.
Consequently, they can become increasingly difficult to wear comfortably and securely. Denture adhesive can be expensive and messy and won’t provide a permanent solution. Additionally, dentures do nothing to help maintain jawbone health.
As your jawbone deteriorates, your facial features may begin to collapse inward as support for the facial muscles in your cheeks and lips diminishes. It is an effect that can be prematurely aging.
Both dental implants and dentures have their advantages and disadvantages. Dental implants are the most modern way to restore missing teeth, but require oral surgery. Not everyone is suitable or wishes to have this surgery, in which case traditional dentures are an option. There is also the cost of dental implants as, initially, they are a more expensive form of tooth replacement.
However, the benefits treatment potentially provides can outweigh these costs. This is because dental implants provide teeth with similar strength and stability compared to natural teeth. They can restore self-esteem and self-confidence. An enhanced ability to eat whatever you wish can improve overall nutrition, benefiting general health.
Another huge benefit of dental implants is jawbone preservation. If you choose ordinary dentures, you will inevitably lose jawbone over time.
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Your dentist or dental implant dentist can help you make the right decision for your needs. Now that you know a bit more about each treatment, you have more of an idea of the questions to ask when you see them.
Your dental implant dentist can also show you examples of each solution and discuss your suitability for implant treatment. Another consideration is whether you need any other treatments, like bone or gum grafting, as these can increase the overall cost of treatment and the time required.
If you feel nervous or anxious about the thought of oral surgery for implants, then this is a common issue and can often be easily resolved with sedation dentistry. Don’t let this put you off the idea of dental implants without investigating them first.
This page was modified on by Dr. Alexander Bokser, DDS (Dentist) of Precision Dental NYC
Dr. Alexander Bokser is a dentist in Astoria, NY and Bayside, NY. He received his degree from New York University College of Dentistry, licensed by the New York State Board of Regents and the North East Regional Board of Dental Examiners.
He is currently teaching dentistry at Albert Einstein School of Medicine. Dr. Bokser has received numerous awards in dentistry and community service. He is a member of the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and North Queens Dental Study Club.
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