Missing teeth can affect your appearance and can impact on other areas, such as speech, chewing, digestion and overall health. If you’re thinking about replacing missing teeth, your dentist may discuss several options, including permanent dental implants and removable dentures.
Dental implants and dentures each have their pros and cons, and these need to be considered carefully when deciding which is the best fit for you. Your dentist will make sure you have all the information you need to make fully informed decisions.
How many teeth?
Implants and dentures may both be an option whether you want to replace individual teeth, several teeth in a row, or all of your teeth. One implant can support several adjacent teeth, while a full arch of replacement teeth may be supported on four implants. Partial dentures can attach to the surrounding healthy teeth for support.
Natural appearance
Modern dentures and dental bridges attached to implants can look indistinguishable from real teeth, though this depends on the material they’re made from and the skill of the dentist and technician creating them. Dental implants offer more support for the jaw and face, and can help prevent a prematurely aged appearance.
Eating and speaking
One area where implants have an advantage is their stronger biting forces. This allows you to continue eating all the same foods, and implants won’t normally affect your diet or speech. In comparison, eating and speaking with dentures can take some time to get used to, and your dentist may advise you to avoid certain foods that could damage or dislodge the denture.
Jaw support
Missing tooth roots can lead to the jaw bone deteriorating over time without support. Dental implants replace these missing roots, which can stimulate new bone growth and prevent the jaw from shrinking. Bridges and dentures that are only supported in the mouth can’t offer this support.
Eligibility
While most people can have dentures, not everyone is a candidate for dental implants, as they usually require your jaw to be a suitable size. Implants may also not be an option if you have certain medical conditions, and your mouth should be healthy and free from problems such as gum disease. Your dentist will let you know whether you’re eligible when you book a consultation.
Procedure
Getting implants is more complex than dentures, as it involves minor surgery to place the implants in the jaw. Depending on the type of implants, there may also be a waiting period of several months before your final bridge can be fitted, as the implants need to bond with the jaw. Some people may also require additional treatments as preparation for implants, such as bone grafting to build up a small jaw.
Lifespan and care
Dental implants generally last longer than dentures and don’t require special care beyond normal oral hygiene, whereas dentures need to be taken out and cleaned daily. Titanium implants themselves can usually last a lifetime, while an implant bridge or dentures may need to be replaced after a number of years, depending on their material and wear and tear.
Cost
Dental implants cost more than dentures up front, but dentures can involve more long-term costs for repair and replacement. Implant and denture costs aren’t covered by health funds, but interest-free payment plans could make them easier to manage.
Teeth replacement in Brisbane
Find out more about dental implants, dentures and other options for replacing missing or damaged teeth by contacting our dentists at Swish Dental today. Call us in Everton Park on (07) 3355 1422, in Mitchelton on (07) 3354 3341, or book a consultation online.