When you are missing teeth, your quality of life can suffer. Many people change their diets because of difficulty eating, and they often restrict social activities because they feel embarrassed. Your oral health may also decline. To restore your smile, your dentist may suggest either dentures or dental implants. Both options have pros and cons. After a complete evaluation of your case, your dentist can explain the options and help you select the best choice to revitalize your mouth.
Why Dentures?
For many years, dentures were the standard choice offered to patients who had missing teeth. When you lose all your teeth, your dentist can design a complete denture for the top, bottom, or on both arches. A partial denture clips onto remaining teeth and fills the gap caused when you have one or more missing teeth between existing permanent teeth.
Modern advances have made it possible to create dentures that look and feel more like your original smile. Getting used to dentures, however, make take several months as your mouth adjusts to the prosthetics. Periodically, you will return to the dentist’s office so that he or she can check the fit and tweak the appliance as needed.
Choosing Dental Implants
Considered the closest replacement to natural teeth, dental implants can revive the health and beauty of your smile. Made from biocompatible titanium, implants serve as artificial tooth roots that a skilled surgeon positions into your jawbone. After your mouth heals and the bone attaches to the implants, your dentist will place a permanent crown on each implant, giving you a complete smile.
Implants can replace one or more missing teeth. Because they are permanently placed in your mouth, they offer unmatched stability. As well, they look and feel like your original teeth. Your dentist will assess your mouth and make sure you have enough bone mass and healthy tissue to support the implants long-term. For patients who can’t handle full implants, mini-dental implants are an option. These small posts are inserted into the jaw bone and function as anchors to hold the denture in place.
