Find out which restorative treatment is best for your smile.
Are you ready to regain control over your oral health and smile confidently again? If you’re missing one or more teeth, you may be experiencing some unsatisfactory side effects, like an awkward bite alignment and shifting teeth that make it hard to clean them effectively, but not for long. There are many dental treatments that can help restore your confidence, improve your bite, and give you the megawatt grin you deserve.
Dentures and dental implants are two of your best options. While they share some similarities, these two treatments have some important differences. Let’s explore the basics of each, as well as how to decide which one is right for you!
What are dentures?
If thoughts of dentures conjure up images of your grandparents’ set, take heart. Thanks to tech-savvy innovations in modern dentistry, today’s dentures are more durable, discreet, and comfortable than ever before. In addition, they’re also made with better materials, including strong acrylic, modern plastics, and porcelain.
Depending on your needs, you can choose from three different kinds of dentures. These include:
- Full dentures
- Partial dentures
- Implant-supported dentures
Full dentures are designed to replace an entire set of teeth, while partial dentures are designed to fill in the gaps left from any teeth you’re missing. If your dentist recommends implant-supported dentures, these can be either full or partial. This type of denture uses an implant post for added stability.
Just as there is no one-size-fits-all dental patient, there isn’t a generic denture fit, either. Rather, your dentist will take the time to create dentures that are custom-sized to fit perfectly in your jawbone, taking into account your facial structure and other features. They’ll do so using advanced, 3D imaging and full-mouth scanning technologies that give them a comprehensive view of your teeth and gums.
The finished product will look and function much like your natural teeth. From the coloring to the transparency, your dentures will blend seamlessly for a beautiful look.
What are dental implants?
If you’ve lost one or multiple teeth due to tooth decay or damage, your dentist may recommend dental implants. This treatment will help restore the health and function of your teeth while beautifying your smile and improving your overall oral health. What does it include?
With a dental implant, your dentist will surgically place a durable titanium post into your jawbone to replace your original tooth root. Once the implant is securely in place, your jawbone will begin to fuse with the post. Before long, you’ll have a synthetic tooth root that’s as rugged, realistic, and capable as the real thing! When the implants are fully integrated into your jaw structure, your dentist will then install an abutment on top of each implant. On top of the abutment, they will place one or more synthetic teeth.
As with dentures, your dentist will take a thorough look at your mouth, teeth, and gums before creating your customized dental implant. It’s critical that your face structure and jawbone are appropriately positioned to support your new implant. For this reason, some patients may require a bone graft or sinus lift prior to their implant placement.
Types of Dental Implants
The exact kind of dental implant you need will depend on the severity of your tooth decay and the number of teeth you’re missing. Your three options include:
- Dental crown
- Implant-supported bridge
- Implant-supported dentures
Let’s take a closer look at each one.
Dental Crown
If you’re only missing one tooth, your dentist may recommend a dental crown. This is a prosthetic tooth usually made from gold, porcelain, metal alloys, or a blend of these materials.
Implant-Supported Bridge
Do you have multiple consecutively missing teeth? This isn’t uncommon, as mouth-related injuries can damage more than one adjacent tooth. Moreover, if you have severe decay in one tooth, that bacteria could also spread to nearby teeth.
An implant-supported bridge is designed to replace two or more neighboring teeth. It uses one to two dental implants to support a series of dental crowns.
Implant-Supported Dentures
Implant-supported dentures are ideal when you need to replace a full arch of your teeth. These are anchored in place by up to eight dental implants. In the same way that a standalone set of modern dentures is designed, an acrylic base is used to closely resemble your gums while porcelain or acrylic prosthetic teeth restore and complete your smile.
Which one is best?
When it comes to dentures versus dental implants, both treatments can help restore the health, function, and beauty of your natural smile. When your missing teeth are out of the picture, you’re free to reclaim your confidence and improve your quality of life.
While dentures have evolved exponentially over the past few years, dental implants remain the sturdier option. They’re also easier to care for and maintain, as they’re anchored into your jawbone and are meant to be treated like real teeth.
A few of the other benefits of dental implants include:
- Will not shift as you chew or speak
- Prevent jawbone deterioration
- Help maintain your facial bone structure
- Give a more natural look and feel
Your dentist will perform a detailed exam to take images of your teeth and discuss your dental history before recommending the best option for you.
Talk to our team about dentures or dental implants.
If you’re missing teeth, you don’t have to go through life with your mouth closed. Your dentist can recommend the right restorative dentistry procedure to help bring your smile back to life and improve your oral health. The best part? Thanks to advances in dental technology, both treatment options are sturdy, beautiful, and designed to last for years.
Whether you proceed with dentures or dental implants, it’s always best to partner with the best local team. If you’re in the Maryville area, we’d love to be that resource for you. Get in touch with our team today to schedule an appointment, and let’s connect.