In this blog from Auburn Hills Family Dentistry, we’re diving deep into all of the pros and cons of dental implants and dentures to see how they stack up next to each other. If you have missing teeth that require restoration or replacement and are wondering if these options would be suitable for you, then read on to learn more.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are titanium screws that are implanted into your jawbone and connected to an abutment and crown to create a tooth restoration that stimulates the jawbone. 

Because the screw is implanted into your jawbone, your tooth restoration will stimulate your jawbone whenever you chew and result in a secure and functional tooth replacement that prevents further bone loss. 

However, the osseointegration process, in which the implant fuses with your jawbone, takes several months. While dental implants are the most reliable and functional tooth replacements, they are more costly than dentures and take a much longer time.

Benefits of Dental Implants

The biggest advantage of dental implants is that they are a true long-term tooth replacement solution. There are many benefits of dental implants, including:

  • More comfortable
  • Prevent further bone loss
  • Restore the function and appearance of your teeth
  • Durable and can last a lifetime with proper care
  • Low maintenance
  • Don’t shift around
  • More freedom & no food restrictions

What are Dentures?

Dentures are removable sets of artificial teeth which are available in both partial and full sets. A partial denture is created to replace a few missing teeth when a person still has the majority of their healthy teeth. Full dentures are opted for when someone has already lost most of their teeth because it requires the extraction of their remaining healthy teeth.

Partial dentures are attached to the teeth via metal clasps which are placed around the healthy abutment teeth. Partial dentures are a lot like dental bridges, in which artificial teeth are attached to a pink-colored plastic base that looks like the gums. These dentures are connected through a wire framework.

Full dentures are when both arches of teeth are completely replaced with artificial teeth. The base which covers the gums is made out of acrylic material and suctions onto the patient’s gums. After their remaining teeth are extracted, the patient must wait for 8-12 weeks for the gums to completely heal.

A set of temporary dentures will be placed while the patient waits for their official set of dentures. These dentures tend to suffer from shifting and moving around so some people opt for implant-retained dentures, which utilize implants to hold the dentures in place.

Benefits of Dentures

Dentures may need to be replaced more often, don’t prevent bone loss, and are more prone to moving around in the mouth, but many of these problems can be addressed by getting implant-retained dentures. 

The following are the biggest benefits of getting dentures:

  • Cheaper than dental implants
  • Shorter procedure than dental implants
  • Minimally invasive
  • A great option for those with weak jaw & gums
  • Implant-retained dentures offer many of the benefits of dental implants

Contact Auburn Hills Family Dentistry Today for a Consultation!

Wondering if you’d be a good candidate for dentures or dental implants? Contact us today at Auburn Hills Family Dentistry by calling 678-804-8818. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Josh Haycock who will examine your teeth and give you all of the information you need to make an informed decision. Don’t wait any longer to restore your smile and your confidence.