When looking for a solution to missing teeth you will come across two main options - dental implants and dentures. There are an array of benefits for each and in this article we want to outline to you those key benefits which will help you decide which option is best for you.

Dental Implants vs Dentures: Which is the Right Fit For You?

No matter how much oral hygiene and technology have improved there is still a need to replace missing teeth. Teeth can fall out for various reasons. You may find this article on how to prevent tooth loss helpful for keeping your original teeth for as along as possible. If you have already lost teeth at this point then we will go through the pros and cons of choosing either dentures or dental implants.

Why Pick Dentures?

Dentures can be used in circumstances where there has been tooth loss as a result of damage, tooth decay, periodontal disease or general wear and tear. Dentures have come along way since their wooden past and are not made of a variety of materials. Cast metal and acrylic are used in the design as well as a plastic base. This is then topped off with hardened porcelain for the teeth. This material is very durable and will let you eat most foods with ease. The process of getting your dentures created is simple and will take just a few weeks. The first step is for your chosen dentist to inspect your teeth. This is to ensure he knows what needs to be done and what he has to work with. He will then take some impressions of you teeth using special dental putty. Moulds of your teeth will then be created. In your final appointment some minor adjustments will be made before the dentures being fully fitted. One of the downsides to dentures is that some people find that their dentures can move whilst they are eating. Others find that there can be a clicking noise as a result of chewing food. This can cause both embarrassment and some discomfort. These issues usually occur in the lower dentures. The upper dentures do not often have these issues because there is a natural vacuum that is caused by the roof of the mouth which keeps the top denture fitted tightly. As you age, the structure of your jaw will change as well as the shape of your gums. This means that you will need to have your dentures realigned to keep it fitting properly into your mouth. Whilst wearing your dentures it is incredibly important to maintain good oral hygiene as there are crevices and gaps that need to be cleaned. A final note to consider is that the longevity of dentures is much less than that of dental implants. This means that at some point it is likely you will need your denture replaced due to general wear and tear.

Why PickDental Implants

Our dental implants patients love the fact that they can be 100% confident in the strength and durability of their new teeth. Dental implants are made from incredibly strong materials such as titanium and alloys that are fully accepted by the human body and by your jaw bone. To keep the implant completely secure the implant is drilled into the jaw and bone socket. You are given a local anaesthetic before the procedure which means that the whole process is completely pain-free. After the implant post has been inserted into the bone there is a waiting time where the bone starts to fuse to the implant holding it firmly in position. In the meantime, you will wear a temporary implant so that you can experience how your new tooth or teeth will feel after the implant has been fully fitted. Once the bone has fused properly with the implant you are ready to have your permanent implant fitted. This is a shorter procedure than the initial one and afterwards you are ready to take on the world with your new teeth! The fact that your dental implant is fitted to your actual bone structure similar to the root of your original teeth, you are able to use the dental implant as if it were a real tooth. That means you can eat the foods that you like without even noticing that you have a prosthetic tooth. Dental implants act, look and feel exactly like real teeth.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants are the perfect step up from dentures and eliminate many of the disadvantages of dentures. here are the most important advantages of dental implants:

• The titanium post at the base of the implant act in a similar way to regular tooth roots. This means that when the crown is attached on top it is incredibly stable and works like a regular tooth.
• They look very similar, if not indistinguishable to real teeth.
• In some cases, people can have allergic reactions to the materials used in dentures. On the other hand, the materials used in dental implants are 100% bio-acceptable thus eliminating any risks of allergic reactions.
• Dental implants don't slip and move about like dentures which means that you will have no problems with your speech.
• Similar to the above, the fact that dental implants are firmly set in place means that there is no rubbing which can cause sore spots in patients who choose to go for dentures.
• With dental implants you can eat any foods that you like with zero issues. You can chew foods with ease as you could when you had a full set of teeth.

Downsides to Dental Implants

• As the procedure of getting dental implants fitted is much more complex than that of dentures, the treatment time is a little longer.

• Implants come with a higher price tag than dentures although they will never need to be replaced unlike dentures.

• If you have issues with bruxism or teeth grinding then you may not be a suitable candidate for dental implants.

• Dental implant treatment involves invasive surgery and so if you are uncomfortable with this you may wish to consider an alternative treatment.