Teeth are an important aspect of both our health and looks. They are not only connected to our dental health, but also to our overall health. What’s more, poorly looking or missing teeth can also cause lower self-esteem. Oral conditions such as missing teeth can cause several infections that can easily spread to your whole system.
They can also cause a change in the structure of your lower face, making you look older than you actually are. In order to prevent this from happening, modern dentistry has developed several ways to fix this problem. Two of the most effective and popular procedures include dentures and implants.
However, many people are not quite sure about what each one is. These two procedures have their pros and cons. We will explain what they are and name their differences in terms of the procedure itself, their longevity, cost and maintenance. Both of them have their advantages as well as disadvantages and they are suitable for different people. Nevertheless, replacing missing teeth is one of the significant key elements for a smile makeover.
1. Dentures
Let’s start with dentures. As you probably already know, dentures are removable false teeth sets that are custom made of acrylic and metal or nylon. They not only replace teeth but also some gum tissue as well. They can be partial or complete, depending on your dental needs. The difference in these is the fact that with complete dentures, you can replace all teeth in your lower or upper jaw; while with partial ones you can replace some missing teeth, where you have intact ones as well. So, it is entirely individual. They also differ in the procedure itself, their longevity, cost and maintenance from implants.
Procedure
The procedure of getting dentures starts with the dentist taking your teeth impression. During this process, the dentist studies your bite and jaw alignment. That is important as it enables your dentist to make the right denture length to aid your speech and chewing. Regardless of how much bone you have in your jaw, dentures can fit. The first set of dentures you get is only temporary. Dentists use them to see what adjustments they need to make. You can wear the dentures when your gums heal, which is usually 6 to 8 weeks after teeth extraction.
Longevity
As far as longevity is concerned, dentures are only a semi-permanent solution. They last from 3 up to 6 years, and then they require a replacement. What happens is that they become loose in time and start sliding.
Cost
The next aspect you should consider is the cost. It plays an important role in making your final decision. By default, getting dentures is much more affordable than getting implants. Additionally, what makes the decision even easier is the fact that many dental plans cover the (partial) cost of getting dentures. However, the price still varies depending on the materials you opt for as well as how authentic you want them to look.
Maintenance
The last aspect we’ll speak about is maintenance. Dentures require specific care. That means removing them overnight, cleaning them under running water, cleaning your mouth after removing them, gently brushing the teeth and soaking them overnight. Moreover, they need to be refitted occasionally as your bite changes.
2. Implants
Implants, on the other hand, are fixed to the jaw bone using screws or titanium rods that act as tooth roots. They are a permanent alternative to missing teeth. Dentists top them with a crown that mimics the appearance of a natural tooth. Due to their specific implantation, they provide a strong jaw structure.
Procedure
When it comes to implants, there is one noteworthy difference between them and dentures. Implants do require a certain amount of bone in order to be placed. The procedure starts with roots extraction, followed by drilling a hole in the jawbone. An artificial tooth is then placed in the hole and when the bone starts to grow around it, the dentist can put a crown on top of it. It takes from 3 to 6 months to complete the whole procedure, depending on your bone health and structure.
Longevity
Implants are a permanent solution, they can last a lifetime with proper care. Taking care of dental implants doesn’t differ much from brushing, flossing and visiting the dentist regularly.
Cost
Speaking about the implants and their costs – they are much more expensive than dentures. They are, in fact, the most expensive teeth replacement procedure. It is so as it is a complex cosmetic process that requires certain expertise. Also, the implant posts and crowns add to the overall cost. However, other factors, such as the country you live in, the dentist and the procedure itself form the final price.
Maintenance
As already mentioned, implants don’t require any special care other than the usual teeth maintenance.
As you can see, there are pros and cons to both o these missing tooth replacement techniques. You should carefully weigh all of them and consult with your dentist before deciding which one to go for.
Author bio:
My name is Grace Wilson. I’m a 27-year-old biotechnologist and kind of a bookish girl. Surfing the Internet is my favourite, that’s why I’ve turned into blogging. Following a healthy mindset and lifestyle is what I consider my life principle. If interested, follow my Twitter.
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