After tooth loss, restoring a strong, healthy, and confident smile may call for measures beyond traditional dentures. For patients meeting certain criteria, dental implants are a solution that can have a truly transformative effect.
We’re looking here at dentures and dental implants to provide an understanding of which option is best for you!
Dentures: A Classic Solution with Limitations
Dentures have long been a popular solution for restoring a person’s smile following tooth loss. Dentures are removable dental prosthetics that are designed to replace missing teeth and the tissues surrounding them and offer improved aesthetics, bite integrity, and functionality.
It is worth noting, however, that dentures have certain limitations, including potential discomfort, slippage that can hinder comfortable speech and reduce bite efficiency, and the need for periodic adjustments.
Dental Implants: A Long-Lasting, Natural-Feeling Solution
Dental implants, on the other hand, represent a longer-lasting, more natural-feeling, and fixed tooth loss solution. Implants are small titanium posts that are surgically placed into the jawbone after tooth loss. Once allowed to fuse permanently with the jawbone through osseointegration, they mimic natural tooth roots, allowing them to provide a stable foundation for lifelike prosthetic teeth like dental implants, improved bite integrity, and the stimulation necessary to promote natural bone growth and prevent bone loss in the jaw.
To qualify for implants, an individual must meet certain criteria. This includes having good overall oral health in general, a fully-developed jawbone (which occurs between the ages of 18 and 24), bone density in the jaw adequate for supporting a dental implant, and a commitment to maintaining strong oral hygiene practices after implant placement. Factors like overall health, lifestyle, and habits (like excessive teeth grinding and smoking) can also play a role.
Drawing a Distinction Between Dentures and Dental Implants
When comparing dentures and dental implants, a distinction becomes evident. Dentures are suitable for many, offering a quick, cost-effective, and effective solution. However, while requiring a more involved process, dental implants present a superior, long-term option, providing a stable and secure foundation for permanent prosthetics and preventing denture-specific issues like slipping, discomfort, and the need for adhesives.
Precision-Placed Dental Implants in Bastrop, TX
If you’re in the Bastrop area and would like to learn more about whether dental implants are appropriate for you, the implant placement process, and proper aftercare, contact dentist Dr. Cole Smith and the team at CS Family Dentistry to schedule a consultation.