Dentures Vs. Implants
The two most common treatment options for patients with missing teeth are traditional dentures or dental implants. While both are designed for similar purposes, which is to restore the cosmetic appearance of one’s smile and improve an individual’s ability to chew, there are important differences between these treatment options that should be carefully considered.
While traditional dentures have historically been the default option for patients with missing teeth, advancements in dental procedures and technology have made dental implants a more common treatment option. One of the biggest drawbacks to dental implants compared to traditional dentures is that treatment is more expensive and requires multiple visits over a period of time; however, patient satisfaction rates are significantly higher among patients who have dental implants compared to traditional dentures. To learn more about each treatment option and determine which may be right for you, please refer to the following.
Pros and Cons of Traditional Dentures
Two of the biggest reasons patients opt for traditional dentures over dental implants is because the cost of treatment is significantly less and because the process of having dentures formed and fitted can be completed in a few weeks and does not typically require invasive surgery, unless any remaining teeth need to be extracted first. Although these are compelling qualities, it is important to know that wearers of traditional dentures often experience many frustrating issues, which include the following:
- Dentures can slip or fall out of place easily, especially lower jaw dentures. This can cause frustration when trying to eat and embarrassment in social situations.
- Dentures require a great deal of daily maintenance and will need to be cleaned and stored each night, whereas dental implants can be taken care of just like your natural teeth.
- While dentures can restore some of your chewing force, you will still be limited in the types of foods you can enjoy.
- Traditional dentures do not provide the necessary stimulation to your jawbone. As a result, your jawbone will continue to deteriorate over time. Once enough jawbone has deteriorated, you will need to get fitted for new dentures. This bone loss also increases your risk of developing additional oral health issues and negatively impacts the aesthetic appearance of your face.
Pros and Cons of Dental Implants
The two biggest drawbacks to getting dental implants placed is that the procedure is considerably more expensive than traditional dentures and may take several months or over one year to complete. If the cost of treatment is a point of concern, keep in mind that there are several stages to the dental implant process, which means you can pay for the procedure in installments. Additionally, patients who are covered under a dental insurance plan can schedule parts of the treatment towards the end and beginning of the year when their benefits run out and renew.
Though procedural risks are very low, as with any surgical procedure, having dental implants placed does carry some risk of the following:
- Infection: An infection may develop following your dental implant procedure, especially if proper aftercare instructions are not followed. To help reduce your risk of infection, your periodontist may prescribe antibiotics.
- Loose implant: Though very uncommon, it is possible for the implant to not properly fuse with the bone, which will necessitate the removal of the original implant and placement of a new one.
- Implant rejection: It is possible for the body to reject the material of the implant, though this is very rare.
- Tissue/nerve damage: Because the implant is placed in close proximity to nerves, improper placement can cause side effects such as long-term pain, tingling, and/or numbness. To help reduce your risk of nerve damage, it is essential that you receive treatment from a highly skilled periodontist.
- Gum recession: If the gingiva around the dental implants begins to recede, pain and inflammation can develop.
- Peri-implantitis: Just like your natural teeth, your dental implants are also at risk of developing periodontal disease, especially among patients who do not practice daily self-care or do not schedule regular examinations and cleanings every six months.
- Sinus issues: If the dental implants are placed such that they protrude into the sinus cavities, issues like fever, pain, tenderness, and swelling around the cheeks, eyes, and forehead may develop.
While it is important to understand the risks involved in the dental implant procedure, it is also important to weigh those risks against the many benefits you will enjoy once the dental implant procedure is complete, which include:
- Greater stability: One of the biggest differences between traditional dentures and dental implants is that dental implants provide much more stability.
- Stronger: In addition to providing greater stability, dental implants restore the strength of your bite to approximately the same strength as your natural teeth. This increased strength will allow you to enjoy a wider variety of foods and improve your ability to chew and digest the foods you eat.
- Affordable: While the initial cost of having dental implants placed is greater than dentures, once they are in place the dental implants will last considerably longer than dental implants, which frequently need to be refitted. As such, patients with traditional dentures end up having to spend more money.
- Looks and feels natural: One of the biggest reasons dental implants have such a high patient satisfaction rate is because they look and feel just like your natural teeth, so much so that most people will not even be able to tell your dental implant apart from the rest of your natural teeth.
- Preserves the health of your jawbone: One of the biggest drawbacks to traditional dentures is that they do not stimulate your jawbone, which results in further bone deterioration. Dental implants eliminate this issue and provides the stimulation necessary to prevent the jawbone from decaying. This in turn significantly reduces your risk of developing other oral health issues, such as additional tooth loss and periodontitis.
Schedule a Consultation
While it is helpful to weigh the pros and cons of traditional dentures and dental implants, the best way to decide which treatment option is right for you is to schedule an appointment with your periodontist. During this exam, they will conduct a thorough evaluation of your oral health and take diagnostic exams to determine which treatment options are available to you. This consultation will also allow them to provide their professional opinion as to which treatment option is best suited to your needs and treatment goals and answer any additional questions you may have.