What are Dentures?
Dentures are designed to fit into your mouth and be held in place there, and with the measurements of your mouth taken, the dentures can fit perfectly. The set is designed to look like natural teeth and is easily removed. You can get full or partial dentures, which one you get depends on your mouth. A full set is necessary for when your entire row of teeth are missing, in this situation, if there are some lingering teeth that aren’t healthy, they may need to be removed. Alternatively, partial dentures can fill in the smaller gaps of missing teeth. Dentures are a budget-friendly and convenient option for replacing teeth.
What are Implants?
Implants are a more recent development and are designed to replicate the original teeth. They are anchored to the jaw and act the same as the rest of your teeth would. Once the implants are placed, they should last a lifetime. Not everyone is a candidate for implants. In order to be eligible, you need to meet the following criteria:
-Have a fully grown, health jawbone
-Have no gum disease
-Have no conditions that affect bone healing.
Whilst implants are the more costly option of the two, they are designed to last longer and be more subtle. People who have implants can forget they even have the implants in, as they are such a natural option.
Factors that may influence which option you choose are:
Cost
Overall, the up-front cost of implants is significantly more than that of dentures, however, dentures need replacing every few years, costing each time. It comes down to your financial position and what you can afford.
Comfort
Implants may be painful to have inserted, however, once healed, they feel just like a regular tooth, and many almost forget about it. Dentures, on the other hand, can cause rubbing on your gums, so they won’t feel as natural or comfortable as implants.
Procedure
Dentures are a fairly straight forward process. We will take your measurements and create dentures to fit perfectly. If you have a few, potentially problematic teeth remaining, we may need to remove them in order to fit the dentures. This varies case by case and depends on your overall oral health.
Implants are a much more intense process. We need to attach the screw to your jaw bone. The whole process can take up to 6 months. This may seem daunting at first, however, we ensure that we will take you through the whole process and provide guidance and pain relief should you need it.
Durability
Implants are designed to last a lifetime, this is why they are attached to the bone and designed to replicate the former tooth. We don’t recommend young people to get implants as problems can arise when the mouth and jaw haven’t finished growing. Dentures can last a maximum of 10 years, which varies from person to person.
Health
Not only do missing teeth cause self-image issues, but they can also contribute to a number of health problems including loss of bone in the jaw, the remaining teeth can drift and possible facial collapse. Dentures rarely help avoid these problems as they are mostly an aesthetic fix, however, implants can as they provide more structural support for your mouth and jaw, especially in younger patients
Use
Dentures are similar to Invisalign and mouthguards as they need regular cleaning. Just as you would clean your teeth every morning and night, you should be cleaning your dentures frequently. Not only does this provide a clean set for you to walk around with, but it also prevents the build-up of bacteria and the risk of infection.
Deciding between denture and implants comes down to personal preference and what you are eligible for. Your age, lifestyle and finances all play a part in choosing which option to select. We will have an in-depth discussion during your appointment to decide which direction you should go. Maybe you aren’t eligible for implants so dentures are the choice for you, or maybe you prefer to have a more natural option, in which case opt for implants. The choice is yours!