Dentures have been a popular choice of restorative treatment for many years. Today, it continues to be a popular choice, particularly for the elderly population. With the recent surge in modern dentistry, other cosmetic forms of treatment have arisen, and its natural for patients to be confused about the right choice of treatment.
Here focuses on two identical forms of treatment; dentures and dental implants. Why choose dental implants over dentures?
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are prosthetic removable false teeth made of acrylic material. You can have complete dentures, where all teeth are replaced with a false set, or partial dentures, which replaces one or a few missing teeth. The denture set is removable, with its replacement teeth attaching to a plastic base connected with a metal framework to hold the dentures in place in the mouth. Dentures such as this last for up to 5 to 7 years, but depending on ageing and a changing facial structure, dentures may become fiddly and difficult to wear, especially when talking and eating. Therefore, they have a limited function.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a prosthetic natural-looking solution where a titanium screw is infused within the jawbone, with an abutment being used as the middle layer to connect the crown (the tooth) on top of the screw to hold it in place. Dental implants act as a natural solution to a missing tooth. It is kept firmly in place with the screw and abutment, making it fully functional with your mouth, meaning you can eat, speak and bite without any concern. Implants are considered a natural choice for those with strong oral health. If your oral health is weak, it can lead to potential complications. Here is a guide in which we discussed dental implant complications.
Why Are Patients Choosing Dental Implants Over Dentures?
If you’re wondering why patients are moving towards dental implants over dentures, below outlines the reasons why.
- Implants Last Longer – Dentures are expected to last for up to 5 to 7 years, but dentures are not exactly comfortable to wear as they may become loose over time. Implants stay firmly in its place for up to 15 to 20 years, or even longer depending on how well you look after it with strong oral hygiene.
- Your Bone Is Protected – Implants preserve the natural bone structure. Losing one or more teeth can lead to bone deterioration, meaning a weaker jaw and faster ageing. Implants stimulate bone growth, keeping your teeth strong and firm.
- A High Success Rate – The success rate of implants is higher than dentures. Dentures need to be replaced regularly, but providing implants are looked after, the first implant procedure will prove to be successful.
- Protects Your Teeth – Implants are a standalone treatment and prevent teeth grinding. The issue with dentures is that they can both grind the missing tooth. Also, cavities cannot develop when an implant is fitted. Although, continue to observe positive oral hygiene so your implant remains healthy.
Summary
There are more advantages in choosing dental implants over dentures. One of the concerns is the cost range, where dental implants are expensive. Although, with dental implants, you’ll have no worries around loose-fitting and no problems with mouth functioning. Treat your implant as a natural tooth and your smile will last for a long time. This is a major reason why patients choose dental implants over dentures.
An outstanding question still to be answered is whether dental implants are a permanent solution. Well, you can find out by clicking here.
Are you seeking dental implant treatment? Contact our experienced dentists in Woden today and check yourself in for an appointment with us.