The Difference Between Dental Implants and Dentures
If you’re struggling with missing teeth or dental damage, modern dentistry provides lots of ways to fix that.
If you discuss your options with an Edmond dentist, chances are you’re going to start learning a lot more about dentures and dental implants.
Check out this short blog post to discover which of these treatments may work for you.
How Do Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants are artificial teeth that provide a natural smile restoration and long-term oral health support. Unlike other types of tooth replacement procedures, dental implants will also replace the tooth root through a metal post inserted into the jaw.
Here’s a brief overview of the dental implant procedure:
- Initial consultation to determine if you’re a good candidate
- Implant surgery, where the post is inserted into the body
- A 6-month healing period where the bone and gums fuse to the implant
- Abutment addition and tooth impression for the crown
- Dental crown attachment
How Do Dentures Work?
Dentures are one of the oldest ways to replace missing teeth. They can restore the smiles of patients with severe dental damage and tooth loss. Classic dentures will replace the entire row of teeth, but you can also get partial dentures if some of your teeth are still healthy.
Here’s what getting dentures will look like:
- Initial consultation
- Preparing procedures if necessary, such as tooth extraction
- Arch impression and temporary denture placement
- Denture fitting
What Are the Main Differences?
Dental implants and dentures are similar in many ways, but these differences can help you figure out which will work best for you:
- Degree of restoration: Dental implants replace one missing tooth at a time, while dentures are designed for a partial or even full row of teeth;
- Maintenance and comfort: Once the procedure is done, a dental implant looks and feels just like a natural tooth and requires only brushing and flossing. Dentures are removable and take some getting used to. Patients have to learn to eat and speak with their dentures on;
- Treatment cost: Dentures are a more affordable solution, especially when you consider that they can restore the full smile of a patient with just one prosthetic;
- Eligibility criteria: Dentists have to carefully screen patients to check for bone and gum health, check for titanium allergies, and look over their medical history before they can recommend implants. Dentures have much wider eligibility criteria, making them an excellent solution for almost anyone.
Which Option Is Right for You?
There are a lot of factors to consider when deciding between dentures and dental implants. The best way to ensure you’re making a great decision for your smile is to see a specialist and discuss your options.
Dr. Durham would be happy to sit down with you and help you make an informed decision. Request a visit to Revive Dental online or call us at (405) 492-7862 today.
