Which are Better – Implants or Dentures?

Dental implants provide a permanent tooth replacement, and help preserve jawbone by stimulating it like a natural tooth root. In contrast, traditional dentures must be routinely altered due to changes in the mouth as unused jawbone dissolves. Dentures can be cost-effectively supported on four or six implants per arch.

Justin

“My mouth was a mess, I didn’t want to live like that anymore. I didn’t want dentures.”

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Bone Loss with Dentures

When teeth are lost or extracted, and there are no tooth roots to stimulate the jawbone, the bone begins to deteriorate. Over time, the bone loss will become so extreme that adjacent teeth become loose and fall out, and the face will start to lose its shape.

Tooth Damage with Partial Dentures

Partial dentures, or bridgework, can replace chewing surfaces and span gaps between teeth. However, bridges are often attached to adjacent, or abutment teeth, and this weakens those teeth, often leading to their loss.

Benefits of Dental Implants over Dentures

Dental implants provide:

Biocompatible titanium construction, allowing the dental implant to fuse with the jawbone.
Mimicked tooth structure, providing consistency as the base of the implant allows a natural and secure fit.
A complete tooth replacement, restoring stability to either or both arches by replacing one or more missing teeth.
Long term solutions to dental issues, without the problems that can arise with bridges or dentures.
Preservation of the bone, preventing deterioration and retaining the shape of the facial features.

Disadvantages of Dentures

Traditional dentures are simply not a match for implants, as they:

Are made of non-biocompatible materials (cast metal, acrylic, and flexible plastic)
Can cause damage to other teeth via metal attachments or through bone loss
May cause soreness or rubbing in the mouth due to “floating”
Require replacement or refining every two to five years

Overall, dental implants are almost always a better choice than traditional dentures or bridgework.

For more information about our practice or to request an office tour, contact our Salina, KS, dental office at 785-825-7197 or book a consult or an appointment online.