What You Need to Know About Dentures and Implants

Implants and dentures are two common ways to replace missing teeth. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and deciding which is best for you depends on your unique situation. There are pros and cons to both dentures and implants, but the right choice for you will depend on your lifestyle, preferences, budget, and many other factors.

There are several factors that you should consider before choosing between a dental implant or dentures. An informed decision will help you select the prosthetic option that best meets your needs now and in the future. If you’re ready to explore these options in-depth, keep reading to learn more about what they are, their pros and cons, common costs, where to find them, how to care for them at home, and more.

What is a Denture?

A denture is a prosthesis that replaces one or more teeth with a combination of a dental acrylic base material, gum-colored acrylic, metal clasps, and natural-looking teeth-shaped plastic or acrylic replacement teeth. The dental acrylic base material holds the acrylic teeth in shape and provides a seal against microbial and food contamination.

Dentures are usually removable and can be taken out overnight for cleaning. They are usually worn by people who have lost all their natural teeth. You may also choose to wear dentures if you’re missing some teeth and have loose or impacted teeth that would otherwise keep you from wearing a fixed retainer.

What is an Implant?

An implant is a surgical procedure that involves placing an artificial tooth root into your jawbone, allowing the two to fuse together. This can be used to replace a single tooth or multiple teeth. Over time, the bone and implant will grow together, forming a new tooth root. The term “implant” means to place something into the body.

During the procedure, your dentist will surgically insert the implant into your jawbone. Once the implant is placed, a prosthetic tooth is attached. This can be a fixed retainer (a type of fixed dental prosthesis) or a removable partial denture. An implant and its corresponding prosthetic mechanism work together to provide stability and strength that a fixed or removable partial denture can’t.

Pros of Dental Implants

Long-term success: Dental implants have a high success rate when done correctly. Most people will be able to keep their implants for the rest of their lives. Success of dental implants is measured by how long they are retained in the jawbone. If you maintain good oral health, it’s likely that the implants will last your entire life.

Natural-looking teeth: Dental implants look and function like real teeth. Depending on the type of implant, they can be used to replace just one tooth or several teeth. And, the surrounding teeth don’t need to be perfectly healthy to support the implants.

Easy cleaning: Dental implants don’t have to be removed for daily oral care, like dentures do. You can simply rinse the implant with water and use an interdental brush to clean in between each tooth.

No risk of infection: Unlike dentures that fit on the gums and sit in the mouth, dental implants are surgically placed in the jawbone. Once healed, the gums and bone actually grow around the implant and keep it from moving around or coming out. This reduces the risk of infection, because the implant isn’t in the gum tissue.

Holds natural teeth in place: Dental implants can be used to replace teeth that are holding other teeth in place, so you don’t have to lose those teeth, too. The implant will secure the teeth and help prevent the need for future dental work, such as a root canal or tooth extraction.

Pros of Denture Teeth

Natural-looking: Denture teeth are a natural color and shape, which makes them easier to clean than a fixed retainer. If you struggle with a fixed retainer getting food stuck in between the teeth, having denture teeth can make cleaning easier by adding more room for food.

Customized fit: A dentist can create a custom denture to fit your mouth, size and shape. This allows the denture to comfortably fit in your mouth and be stable.

Ease of removal: Dentures are removable, which makes them much easier to clean than a fixed retainer. It’s best to take them out at night, so food and bacteria have less time to stay in your mouth and cause issues like tooth decay and gum disease.

Less risk of infection: Dentures are removed from your mouth and kept in a container when not in use. This reduces the risk of the denture staying in your mouth too long, which can cause issues like tooth decay and gum disease.

Cons of Dental Implants

High cost: Dental implants typically cost more than dentures. Depending on your dental insurance, you may be able to get an implant covered by your insurance. – Risk of jawbone surgery: The area around the dental implant must heal (called “take”) before the implant can be used.

This typically takes three to six months. If the jawbone doesn’t heal properly around the implant, your dentist may need to do surgery to remove the implant and perform another surgery to try again.

Risk of infection: Any time your mouth is cut or there is surgery, there is a risk of infection.

With dental implants, there is a higher risk of infection because the implant is placed in the jawbone.

Risk of peri-implantitis: This is an oral infection that occurs when the thin membrane surrounding the dental implant isn’t healthy. This can be caused by issues like smoking, malnutrition, and lack of oral hygiene.

Cons of Dentures

Possible reduced tooth strength: A loose or improperly fitted denture can cause your natural teeth to shift, resulting in tooth decay and gum disease. And if they shift too much, they may need to be extracted.

Possible reduced jawbone strength: Over time, a poorly fitted denture can weaken your jawbone. This can lead to pain and the need for a jaw surgery, such as a bone graft, to repair the damage.

Risk of infection: Denture wearers have a higher risk of infection because food particles and bacteria can easily sit in the denture for long periods of time.

Difficulty eating certain foods: Certain foods, such as apples, carrots, and popcorn, can be tricky to eat with a denture.

Bottom line

Dentures and implants are two common options for dental prosthetics. Both have advantages and disadvantages, and it’s important to consider your unique situation when deciding which one is best for you. The best choice for you will depend on your lifestyle, preferences, budget, and many other factors.

Keep in mind that there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to replacing missing teeth. Before making a choice, it’s important to consider your dental health, lifestyle, and financial situation and how each option might impact those things.

References:

1-A review of dental implants and infection

Available online 28 March 2009.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2009.02.010

2-The effects of process variables on levels of residual monomer in autopolymerizing dental acrylic resin

Available online 21 March 2004.

https://doi.org/10.1016/0300-5712(83)90051-9