Dentures vs Implants
If you are missing one or more of your teeth, you have several options to replace them. At first, going over all your options might seem overwhelming, so it is important to talk to your dentist about each option. Make sure you talk about timeline for each procedure, cost, and pros and cons of each choice that you have.
Dental implant
If a tooth and its root are missing, a dental implant with the appropriate prosthetic tooth is a viable solution to replace the tooth. A dental implant is an artificial root, usually made of titanium, that is implanted into your jaw. This root, through various biological processes, becomes part of your jawbone, like a real tooth root. Once this process is complete, the implant is then fitted with a prosthetic tooth, which replaces the function and aesthetics of your natural teeth. Dental implants are often thought of as the “gold standard” in tooth replacement. Placing dental implants is a proven routine method in dentistry to close tooth gaps permanently and in a pain-friendly manner. While the advantages of dental implants are undisputed, there is one catch: the sometimes high costs discourage many patients from having implants.
When is an implant placed?
An implant can be placed immediately after a tooth is extracted, or after the bone and gums have healed. The surgery is often simple and painless. It is done under local anesthesia, in most cases, similar to the treatment of cavities. The final prosthesis is made after integration of the implant at bone level (within 2 to 6 months). Under certain conditions, a temporary prosthesis can be placed immediately after implant placement.
What are the advantages of an implant?
Implants look, function, and feel like natural teeth. They are strong and have a long lifespan. With proper care, they can last well over 10 years, which could be longer than other solutions. They completely restore your smile and the functions of natural teeth, without the hassle of having to remove them daily or clean them with special products, like you might with removable dentures. Additionally, many patients report easier speech, eating, and improved comfort and self-esteem from their implants as opposed to other options such as bridges or full removable dentures.
What are disadvantages of an implant?
Implants are generally safe, effective, and long-lasting. However, they do require surgery, which, while there are many methods for making it as painless, can be associated with some pain and/or discomfort. Implants also are not an instant solution, as you must heal between each step of the process. Additionally, as mentioned, because of the many precise steps in the process, implants are usually a more expensive choice than other options you may have. Also, there are some conditions and health problems that might contraindicate having an implant placed, so it is important that you speak to your doctor and dentist about your plans to have an implant so they can make sure you are healthy enough to have one placed.
What are the alternatives to dental implants?
Dental implants offer an aesthetically pleasing and long-lasting solution to fill a tooth gap. One disadvantage of implants is certainly the higher cost that patients may pay for these high-quality dentures. But there are also good alternatives to implant-supported dentures.
Various forms of dentures are possible
The tried and tested types of dentures include the fixed bridge restoration, the removable partial or full prosthesis, as well as a combination of both. If there is a small gap between the teeth, a bridge restoration is usually used. Larger gaps are often closed with dentures.
If several teeth are missing, a dental bridge is often the first choice. Bridges stabilize existing teeth and ensure the chewing function. A bridge is called that simply because it is a prosthetic that spans the toothless gap between teeth. It spans the gap by resting on the two adjacent teeth by an anchor which is generally a crown: it is a fixed prosthesis. The neighboring teeth may or may not be altered to fit the bridge and crown. Generally, the installation of the bridge requires the preparation of neighboring teeth by slightly reducing their volume to ensure a good anchorage for the bridge itself. To do this, the dentist uses a bur and removes the necessary thickness on the existing teeth. The adjacent teeth must be given a very precise shape compatible with the morphology and the hold of the bridge. This is done with great rigor, generally removing 1 millimeter (mm) at the periphery and 2 mm at the level of the surface of the prepared tooth. One of the biggest disadvantages of a bridge is that this grinding healthy teeth can damage them. The grinding of neighboring teeth is necessary in order to then attach the bridge structure to the pillars.
Numerous advantages and disadvantages of dental bridges
Because they are firmly anchored to the neighboring teeth, bridges are considered a very stable dental prosthesis solution. In addition, no surgical intervention is required - i.e. the treatment effort and the stress on the patient are relatively low. But be careful! As already mentioned, the neighboring teeth can be severely damaged by grinding, so that they are attacked by caries or even die. The chewing load is very high for the ground teeth, so that in the worst case scenario, premature tooth loss can ensue.
Partial dentures: Inexpensive denture solution
Larger tooth gaps are often closed with a removable partial denture. The prosthesis is attached to the teeth that are still there with “brackets”. Partial dentures are relatively inexpensive, but not particularly aesthetic either. In addition, the corresponding neighboring teeth are stressed by the brackets and can be severely damaged as a result.
Full denture as a replacement for complete tooth loss
Patients who no longer have teeth are often given new teeth in the form of a full denture. The teeth are supported by a gum-colored plastic base and by the suction forces of the sticky saliva. Full dentures are also relatively inexpensive and no surgical intervention is necessary. But as always, there are disadvantages. In addition to the restricted chewing function, the sense of taste is also significantly disturbed. Pronunciation can also be impaired and aesthetics are not always optimal. Painful pressure points, with which many prosthesis wearers have to struggle permanently, are also very stressful.