As we age, many of us may lose a tooth or two to some accident or dental complication. While there is little we can do to save the tooth, there are things available to us that can restore the function and aesthetics of our teeth. Here we discuss the positives and negatives of two possible solutions if you lose a tooth – dental implants and dentures.
Dentures are sets of false or fake teeth that you place in the space of the missing tooth using some dental adhesive. Dentures require a much shorter time span to prepare compared to dental implants and less time in the dentist’s office. Dentures work best for people who have fragile gums or weak jaw. However, the problem with dentures is that despite dental adhesives, there are still chances that the dentures can become dislodged from your mouth which can be an embarrassing experience. You also can’t use dentures to bite into hard foods as they may break. Dentures also feel somewhat unnatural and can make speaking clearly difficult.
Dental implants are all about replacing the tooth you lost by surgically installing a root for a new tooth prosthetic. This is fixed, does not move and no longer needs adhesive. Dental implants take longer to install and require several trips to the dentist and will need dental procedures to set up the implant. They are also more expensive compared to dentures. However, there are many benefits associated with dental implants. They feel more natural as if it was a part of your normal teeth structure. They are also very sturdy and function like your normal teeth and promote healthy bone growth.
There is much to talk about in the dental implants vs dentures discussion. As with any oral or dental health queries, it is best to ask a professional in the field. Oxford Family Dental can give you insights as to which procedure will work best for you based on your dental health.
