There may come a time when you have a tooth that can no longer be repaired, and the only option will be to have the tooth extracted. Then you must decide about what to do with the gap left behind. Two of the most popular treatment choices to replace a missing tooth are dentures or dental implants.
In this blog we will look at the advantages and disadvantages of both dentures and dental implants to help give you the information you need to make an informed decision on the treatment that best meets your needs.
Dentures
Dentures are made by creating either an acrylic (plastic) or chrome (metal) base and onto these composite teeth are added in a shade to match your natural teeth.
Advantages
- Dentures can be made to replace either one, several or all teeth on your upper or lower jaw
- Dentures can be fitted immediately after a tooth is extracted so no-one will even know you are missing a tooth
- Dentures allow further teeth to be added following any future extractions
- Dentures improve your appearance and bite
- Dentures are suitable for most people
- Dentures are less expensive than dental implants
Disadvantages
- Dentures will need to be remade and relined as the shape of your jaw changes overtime
- Dentures do not support the jaw so you will notice bone loss over time
- Dentures will need to be completely replaced every 7-8 years
- Dentures can take time to get used to and you will need to practice in order to be able to speak and eat with confidence
Dental implants are made by inserting a titanium screw into your jaw which is then used to support a crown, bridge or denture depending on how many teeth need to be replaced.
Advantages
- Dental implants can be used to replace one, several or all teeth.
- Dental implants can either be placed for individual teeth or can be used to support dentures replacing all the teeth in your upper or lower jaw.
- Dental implants help to improve your appearance, bite and how you speak.
- Dental implants help to maintain the bone levels in your jaw and can even help to promote bone growth needed to stabilise and secure the implant
- Dental implants look and feel like your natural teeth so you will be able to speak and eat with complete confidence
- Dental implants allow you to eat a full and varied diet, nothing is off limits!
- If properly cared for a dental implant should last for at least 10 years
Disadvantages
- It takes 3-4 months for the dental implants to be completed. The base of the implant will be inserted and then left to heal before a crown, bridge or denture can be placed on top.
- Dental implants can only be placed if you have sufficient bone in your jaw and it is healthy enough. If not, a bone graft will be required prior to treatment starting
- Dental implants are not suitable if you smoke and if you suffer with gum disease there is a higher risk of the implant failing
- Dental implants are expensive to place initially
No one treatment is better than the other. It is dependent on
what you would like and whether you are suitable for that treatment.
Currently we are unable to see patients for face to face consultations but if you would like to find out more about dentures or dental implants email Maidstone Dental & Implant Centre today on info@maidstonndental.co.uk and we will endeavour to get back to you as quickly as possible.
