If you are missing teeth but have never had implants, you might be wondering what the difference is between dentures and implants. Here are a few frequently asked questions that will help clarify the difference for you. If you have any more questions, please do not hesitate to call the Center for Beautiful Smiles. Dr. Pham treats many patients from Chula Vista and the surrounding areas and would be happy to answer your dental implant questions.
What are Implants? What are Dentures?
An implant is a replica of a missing tooth (or teeth) that is attached to the jaw bone and fuses to the bone just as a real tooth would. Dentures are replicas of missing teeth that are attached to a form that fits onto your gums.
How are Implants and Dentures Similar?
Dentures and implants are both solutions to replace missing teeth. Both are customized to fit your jaw and blend with surrounding teeth in shape, size, and color. Both require more than one visit to the dentist.
How Do Implants and Dentures Differ?
Dentures are a removable object. Implants are permanently implanted in your jaw. Dentures are relatively faster to put in place than implants (which take 3 to 4 months). Dentures replace multiple missing teeth. Implants can replace one or more teeth.To see the two different dental procedures, watch these short videos on implants and dentures.
Which is Better — Implants or Dentures?
Implants are considered the most exciting technological advance of the past 40 years. Once the procedure is finished, implants look, feel, and act like true teeth. With care, they can last a lifetime. Studies have shown that teeth adjacent to implants have better rates of survival than teeth adjacent to other kinds of restorations. For these reasons implants are considered a better choice than dentures.
What are the Advantages of Implants?
Implants, once placed, are nearly identical to true teeth. They are securely and permanently affixed to the jaw, and thus do not move when you are eating or speaking (as dentures can). They look and feel like your own teeth.
What are the Advantages of Dentures?
Dentures require less invasive work for the patient, are generally less expensive than implants, and are easy to clean (because they can be removed).
Are Implants OK for Everyone?
Implants are for adults in good health. Young people whose jaw bones have not finished growing, and people with weakened immune systems (or who have chronic illnesses such as diabetes) are generally not considered good candidates for implants.
Why Should I Bother Replacing a Missing Tooth?
While it’s true you might be able to convince yourself a single missing tooth (or even multiple missing teeth) can be ignored, it is always best to try and replace missing teeth, as the surrounding teeth have a tendency to shift into to available space. This can change and throw off the correct dental “occlusion” (bite). If the tooth has been lost to tooth decay or gum disease it is important to be seen by the dentist to put a stop to the problem.
If you have dentures and are thinking about switching to implants, or if you are missing teeth and investigating the different ways you can beautifully replace them, call us today (61) 421-2155 for a consultation. We are happy to help you.