Advantages of Dental Implants
They are easy to care for and the next best solution to your natural teeth: A properly placed dental implant is as close to a natural tooth as you can get. It looks and feels like a natural tooth. They are cared for similarly to natural teeth with a tooth brush and floss.
Dental implants preserve healthy bone and protect other teeth and reduce the likelihood of further bone loss. Dental implants are the only restoration option that preserves and stimulates bone growth and eliminating bone loss. Eliminating a tooth without placing an implant could cause further bone loss and potentially increase the chances that healthy teeth could become compromised.
Dental implants do not need to be removed from your mouth – no more teeth in a jar. Dental implants allow you to function normally as if you had your normal teeth. You can sleep with them in and do not need to clean them overnight in a jar.
They are secure – no worry about implants falling out or slipping out of place. Dental implants are secured into your preserved bone and do not move. You do not have to worry about awkward social experiences where your teeth begin to move. Dental implants do not impact your speech. Adjusting to removable dentures can negatively impact your speech. Secure dental implants allow you to speak normally without worrying about difficult pronunciations.
Dental implants can last a lifetime. Where dental bridges can break easily or wear over five to seven years, dental implants can last a lifetime when properly placed and cared for.
Advantages of Dentures
- Dentures are less costly
Dentures can be a bridge treatment to implants if the patient is unsure although waiting too long can impact bone structure which could make the process more complexed or unachievable. - The process is non-evasive and does not require surgery
- Dentures can be modified for additional tooth loss
Disadvantages of Implants
- Implants are the more expensive option
- Implant placement does require a surgical procedure
- Infrequently, less than 5% of the time, a dental implant can fail to secure to the bone requiring additional procedures.
- Not everyone is a candidate for implants due to insufficient bone structure.
- In rare cases after experiencing a failed implant, further placement in the area may be eliminated.
A dental implant is a titanium post (like a tooth root) that is surgically positioned into the jawbone beneath the gum line that allows your dentist to mount replacement teeth or a bridge into that area. An implant doesn’t come loose like a denture can. Dental implants also benefit general oral health because they do not have to be anchored to other teeth, like bridges.
Disadvantages of Dentures
- They do not look as natural or fit as tightly as implants
- They must be removed each night for cleaning
- It can be difficult to speak wearing dentures
- Certain foods are eliminated from your diet
- They need to be replaced more frequently