Is your smile impaired because you have missing teeth? If so, you’re not alone.
According to the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP), over 120 million people in the U.S. are in the same boat. About 36 million are completely edentulous (have no more natural teeth). Of those with edentulism, around 90% wear traditional dentures.
Fortunately, dental technology has advanced dramatically, and dentures are no longer your only teeth replacement option. Nowadays, you can get better, longer-lasting dental implants.
So, join us today at Bourbon Family Dentistry as we explore this comparison guide for dental implants vs. dentures. Read on to discover the difference between dental implants and dentures to help you make a more informed choice if you need teeth replacement in Paris, KY.
What Are Traditional Dentures?
Traditional dentures are removable prosthetic devices that provide quick and affordable artificial teeth replacement. They can replace one or more missing teeth (partial dentures) or all (complete dentures).
Today’s high-quality dentures have evolved considerably from their predecessors’ noticeably “fake” appearance. With dental innovations, modern removable dentures, particularly those fashioned with porcelain materials, more closely resemble natural teeth.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are among the latest innovations in dental prostheses. They can replace entire tooth structures, from the crown (the visible part of the teeth above the gum line) down to the roots.
Dental implants usually consist of three parts.
The Implant
The “implants” in dental implants are tiny posts, usually made of titanium, that replace lost tooth roots.
Tooth roots are the unseen portion of teeth, supporting and fastening them to the jawbone. In addition to anchoring your pearly whites, they stimulate the jawbone through mouth actions like biting and chewing. The jawbone needs this stimulation to stay healthy because it can resorb or break down if it goes without it for a long time.
When you get dental implants, your dentist in Paris, KY, will place the implants directly in or above your jawbone. They will then fuse with the jawbone during a process that dental professionals call “osseointegration.” Successful osseointegration helps provide a solid anchor and base for your new artificial tooth or teeth, just as natural roots do for your natural pearly whites.
The Abutments
Abutments in dental implants are metal posts that serve as connector pieces. They link the implants in the jawbone to the prosthetic devices, which are the visible parts of the dental restoration.
The Prosthetic Devices
Prosthetic devices used in dental implants can include:
- A crown, which can replace a single lost tooth
- A bridge, which can replace one or more missing teeth adjacent to each other
- Dentures, which can replace multiple or all missing teeth in an arch
Regardless of which prosthesis you choose, your dentist will securely attach it to the implants through the abutment.
Dental Implants vs. Dentures: The Critical Differences
Now that you know more about dentures and implants, it’s time to compare them. Here are some of the key differences that set these two restorations apart.
Functions
Both dental implants and dentures replace lost teeth, but the former provides more functions, including jawbone stimulation.
As mentioned, dental implants fuse with the jawbone and replace lost tooth roots. In doing so, they also take over the functions of the lost tooth roots in stimulating and preventing the jawbone from resorbing or breaking down. So, they can help keep the jawbone from shrinking due to bone loss, which, if not controlled or prevented, can lead to more problems like:
- Difficulty eating and speaking
- Facial distortion
- Premature wrinkles around the mouth
- Loose teeth
While traditional removable dentures can restore your beautiful smile and help you eat and speak better, they’re still superficial. Because they don’t directly attach to the jawbone, they can’t stimulate it, unlike dental implants.
Cost
When comparing dental implant vs. denture cost, know that the former is often more expensive.
Investopedia reports that the average cost of dental implants without insurance in the U.S. is $4,929 per tooth. Conversely, traditional complete dentures cost between $1,000 and $3,000.
Longevity
Tooth implants are long-term dental solutions that offer the most permanence of all your tooth replacement options. Their fusing with the jawbone results in a more stable, secure anchor for the abutment and the prostheses. So, you can worry less about the visible part of your restoration becoming loose, slipping, or even falling out.
Generally, implants in the jawbone can last for a lifetime, provided the dentist places them correctly and with the utmost care. However, the prosthesis attached to them may require replacement at some point, but not for many years.
On the other hand, traditional dentures can last five to ten years. Compared to implant-supported dentures, this is generally a shorter lifespan. After all, they can sustain more wear and tear from repeatedly removing and putting them back in.
Long-Term Outlook
According to the U.S. CDC, tooth decay and gum disease with associated bone loss (periodontitis) are the two leading causes of tooth loss.
However, unaddressed tooth loss can further complicate things and increase one’s risk of losing more teeth, a problem related to jawbone resorption. Just like periodontitis, loss of bone due to a lack of jawbone stimulation can make you more likely to experience even more tooth loss.
So, before you dismiss dental implants as your best denture alternatives because of their high cost, consider their long-term oral health benefits. Besides, reputable dentists typically offer financing programs to help make oral health and smile-improving treatments easier to afford.
Ready to Explore Dental Implants and Dentures in More Detail?
As you learned in this dental implants vs. dentures comparison guide, the former replaces entire structures of lost teeth (from the crown to the roots), whereas the latter only replaces the crown. So, while both can give you a more dazzling smile and help you eat and speak better, implants provide more permanence and help keep your jawbone healthy.
If you’re still unsure which option is best for your situation, our highly experienced and compassionate dental team at Bourbon Family Dentistry in Paris, KY, can help. Our dentist, Dr. Taylor McFadden, is a valued, active member of the dental community, including the Kentucky Dental Association and Bluegrass Dental Society.
Contact us today, and we’ll happily answer your questions about implants and dentures!
Recent Comments