A traditional denture and an implant secured denture are your two options if you are missing an entire row of teeth. A full set of healthy teeth is important to your overall health and wellbeing. Replacement teeth allow you to speak, eat, and look normal again. While both options will help with this, dental implants are the superior option.
Dr. Tom Trinkner and Dr. Nick Keefer are expert dental implant dentists in Columbia. We supply both denture and implant options to our patients with missing teeth. Whether you are missing your top or bottom arch, or even both, our dental team is here to help. We will help you learn the pros and cons of each so you can make the best choice for your oral health.
Dental Implants vs Dentures
Traditional dentures and dental implants are both good choice to replace entire arches of missing teeth. However, they offer different advantages and disadvantages. Below, we will review them to help you determine which one is the best option for you.
Cost
The price tag for each option is significantly different. Dentures are an affordable option that will cost you less than dental implants. However, they don’t offer the same benefits and require more maintenance. You have to replace them sooner, so the cost of maintenance and replacement may exceed the total cost of implant dentures.
On the other hand, dental implants may cost more but they resemble real teeth better. Denture implants will look, feel, and function like natural teeth. This makes them an investment into your quality of life. The implant fixtures will also last a lifetime if you maintain it well.
Facial Appearance
A missing row of teeth will cause your mouth to collapse. A traditional denture and a denture implant will hold the shape of your mouth to prevent the collapse. However, after years of wearing dentures, bone loss in the jaw will occur. When bone deterioration occurs in the jaw, this collapse of the mouth will still occur.
Deep wrinkles will form around the mouth and the chin will protrude forward more. This will make you look older than you actually are. However, dental implants can prevent bone loss. A denture implant can preserve the natural appearance of your face.
Diet
A traditional denture relies on suction and sometimes adhesive to remain in place. An implant denture uses dental implants. Implant fixtures help the denture remain more stable and durable. This gives you more chewing power and allows you to eat a greater variety of food.
Denture wearers have food restrictions which includes many types of hard-to-chew healthy foods. They must be aware of the types of food they eat, because it can stick under the dentures. Sticky foods make it hard to clean the dentures and keep infection away from gums.
Fit
Traditional dentures are sometimes bulky, and hard to adjust to for some people. They only use suction and sometimes adhesive to remain in place. This unreliable fit causes them to shift around in the mouth.
Speaking without slurring and chewing food becomes increasingly difficult when this happens. However, dental implants will hold the denture firmly in place. Implant dentures will never shift around or fall out, allowing you to speak clearly and eat comfortably.
Bone Loss
Without tooth roots, the jaw bone will begin to deteriorate. The only solution to prevent bone loss is dental implants. They stimulate the jaw bone to aid in the bone growth. Denture wearers will suffer from bone loss which will cause the fit of the denture to change over time.
The difference between traditional dentures and dental implants is significant. An implant-supported denture is far more superior to a regular denture. To learn more about dental implants vs dentures, call our Columbia dental office to request an appointment. To learn more about our dental implant services, visit: