Dentures Vs Dental Implants: Which is the right option?

In the past Dental Implants were seen as the best solution to fill in gaps in teeth caused by original teeth being removed. The durability that they provided simply couldn’t be matched by Dentures which were less strong and didn’t feel very natural.

However, now that the technology behind dentures has been created the choice between dentures and dental implants is far less obvious. Modern day dentures provide users with greater strength and flexibility then they did in the past. When making a decision as to which is the best you should read up on both options and consult your dentist, who will be able to give advice on your specific needs.

Strength and Durability

Dentures have been around for many years and in that time they have developed greatly. The historic development of dentures has even become a subject of academic interest now! Although dentures provide more strength then they did in the past, they are still no match for the strength offered by dental implants. If adhesive is not applied to dentures then it is possible that they may fall out while eating or talking – this can be very embarrassing.  Dentures may make a clicking sound when food is being chewed. Although this is more relevant to lower teeth dentures then upper teeth dentures.

However, the development of new types of dentures such as Valplast dentures, which often come with a lifetime guarantee mean that this argument may not be as valid as it use to.

Longevity

Dental implants are more permanent options. As long as they are cared for properly they can last up to 20 years. This is significantly longer then dentures. Dentures need replacement more often because they are not as strong. As you age your jaw shape changes. This means that dentures may not fit as well as they use to when they were first fitted.

Again, with both options the best way to increase the amount of time that either option lasts is to look after them properly. Your dentist will be able to give you advice on how to look

Discreteness

In the past dentures were not very discrete. Many people use to find that other people could easily notice that they were wearing dentures. This is something that many people feel embarrassed about. Additionally, there is a chance that dentures especially partial dentures will fall or move while daily activities such as eating or talking are carried out. However, the chance of this happening can be reduced if good quality adhesive is used. Dental implants, on the other hand have always been good options when it comes to discreteness. It is almost impossible that other people will detect that you have dental implants.

However, denture technology has come a long way in recent years and now they are much more discrete options. This has made the choice between dentures and dental implants far less obvious.

Pain

One reason why people are reluctant to get dental implants fitted is because they are concerned about how painful the surgery to get them fitted is. Having an implant rod placed inside your gum may not be the most pain free experience. However, despite this as a result of the extra level of com for and the  other advantages that dental implants offer many people chose to have dental implants over dentures.

Having dentures made is a relatively pain free procedure. Moulds have to be taken of the teeth before special dentures designed to fit in your mouth are made. This should not cause any pain.

Cost

While dental implants are more expensive in the short term because they are made of more expensive materials and they need greater expertise to be fitted, in the long term they may not be that much more expensive. This is because dentures require greater maintenance. The cost of buying maintenance products such as adhesive means that dentures may not be that much cheaper then dental implants in the long term.

If cost is an issue, then it is definitely worth asking your dentist about the different products that you will need to buy when wearing dentures.

You should ensure that you factor in hidden costs when choosing what option to go ahead with:

Maintenance

Dentures require more maintenance then dental implants. You have to clean your dentures when you are not using them. This is essential as not having a clean set of dentures can lead to an array of dental problems developing as dirty dentures encourages bacterial growth.

Dental implants, on the other hand require much less maintenance. They are like normal teeth and you don’t need to do much to care for them then you would do to your original set of teeth.

Conclusion:

The choice between dentures and dental implants is not that clear-cut. Dental implants offer greater comfort in the long term and they are more still more discrete options. However, dental implants are not suitable for everyone. Some people have week gums and their teeth therefore are simply not suitable for dental implants.

Another important aspect of your choice should be whether you are willing to undergo the extra pain that dental implants have when they are fitted. If the answer to this is no, then you should certainly look at getting dentures fitted.