If you’re like many in their late 60s to early 70’s the question of dental implants vs dentures may have started to pop up in your head. Over 178 million Americans are missing one or more teeth and many ask the question should I get dentures or spend the money on an implant. This blog is dedicated to those people. Throughout this, we hope to provide those readers with all the information they need to make a choice of a better smile, happier life, and the ease of eating whatever you want. This article focuses on the differences between dentures vs implants.
Dentures:
Dentures are removable artificial teeth that can replace missing natural teeth and help restore your smile. If you’ve lost all of your natural teeth, whether, from gum disease, tooth decay, or injury, replacing missing teeth will benefit your appearance and your health. That’s because dentures make it easier to eat and speak better than you could without teeth—things that people often take for granted.
When you lose all of your teeth, facial muscles can sag, making you look older. Dentures can help fill out the appearance of your face and profile. They can be made to closely resemble your natural teeth so that your appearance does not change much. Dentures may even improve the look of your smile.
Types of dentures:
- Conventional. This full removable denture is made and placed in your mouth after the remaining teeth are removed and tissues have healed, which may take several months.
- Immediate. This removable denture is inserted on the same day that the remaining teeth are removed. Your dentist will take measurements and make models of your jaw during a preliminary visit. You don’t have to be without teeth during the healing period, but may need to have the denture relined or remade after your jaw has healed.
- Overdenture. Sometimes some of your teeth can be saved to preserve your jawbone and provide stability and support for the denture. An overdenture fits over a small number of remaining natural teeth after they have been prepared by your dentist. Implants can serve the same function, too.
Life After Dentures:
New dentures may feel awkward for a few weeks until you become accustomed to them. The dentures may feel loose while the muscles of your cheek and tongue learn to keep them in place. It is not unusual to experience minor irritation or soreness. You may find that saliva flow temporarily increases. As your mouth becomes accustomed to the dentures, these problems should go away. Follow-up appointments with the dentist are generally needed after a denture is inserted so the fit can be checked and adjusted. If any problem persists, particularly irritation or soreness, be sure to consult your dentist.
Even if you wear full dentures, you still have to practice good dental hygiene. Brush your gums, tongue, and roof of your mouth every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures to stimulate circulation in your tissues and help remove plaque.
modern dentures are generally made out of hard resin. The materials used to make denture teeth are known to be more fragile than natural teeth and can easily chip or crack if dropped or otherwise uncared for. This material also wears down much quicker than natural teeth and thus must be replaced with a new set of dentures every five years or so.
The supporting structure of dentures that holds the artificial teeth in place and resembles the natural gum line is often made out of a similar resin used for the teeth, or a more flexible polymer material that fits snugly on the natural gum line.
What’s the Cost for Dentures:
If you are looking at getting dentures you could be looking at a range from $1000 – $15,000 per arch. The specific cost depends on many factors including the quality of the materials used. A basic set of full dentures might cost anywhere from $600 – $1,500, midrange quality dentures might cost between $1,500 – $3,000, and a premium set could be $3500 – $15,000. However, dentures have the ability to change your life, making them a worthwhile investment.
Just like every patient, dentures are unique. They are not a one-size-fits-all dental restoration and the price is dependent on multiple factors, including:
- materials used
- The patient
- Ongoing denture care and maintenance
- The dentist’s expertise
Just like many services, these prices do vary depending on who you work with and the location. If interested in dentures we recommend contacting a local dentist for definitive pricing.
Pros
- They cost less than dental implants.
- Dentures allow your mouth to have time to heal following tooth extraction.
- Any damage done to dentures can be easily fixed
- Dentures can be trial-tested, unlike dental implants.
Cons
- Without adhesive, they might slip out while eating.
- Dentures can affect speech and the taste of food.
- They’re less comfortable and stable than implants.
- Partial dentures may make adjacent teeth more vulnerable to decay or gum problems.
Implants:
Dental implants are permanent replacement teeth. Implants provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that are made to match your natural teeth. This process can be done on one tooth, your upper/lower, or your entire mouth. Unlike dentures, implants aren’t removable and act like your natural teeth.
What’s the Cost of Implants:
One big concern that many people have with this procedure is the cost. The monetary cost of dentures compared to the cost of Teeth in a day implant-supported teeth is quite different. However, you must think about the negative psychological and poor comfort of dentures compared to teeth in a day implant-supported teeth. While dentures are less expensive than implant teeth, dentures are typically poorly fitting, uncomfortable, and sometimes painful. Dentures often negatively affect your speech and have sometimes have damaging psychological effects. Dental implant teeth supported all on as few as 4 dental implants are permanent.
They essentially replace your original teeth in terms of restoring your confidence and ability to chew food. We have seen the life-changing effects of Teeth In A Day treatment for the many patients we have provided this procedure. If you are a candidate for this procedure, allow us to help you with the monetary costs. At Woodland Family Dental, we offer many financing options to cover the costs of teeth in a day implant-supported teeth.
Cost varies anywhere from $4,000 for single tooth implants to upwards of $50,000 for a complete mouth implant.
Pros
- Studies show that implants have longevity of more than 20 years.
- No need to remove them regularly for cleaning.
- What’s more, they help maintain the original structure of your jawbone.
Cons
- Dental implants cost more than dentures.
- Getting implants might require additional bone grafting procedures. Since implants require a sufficient amount of bone, they might not be an option for everyone.
Curious about learning more about dentures vs implants? Learn more about Dental Implants by checking out the Duluth Implant Center helping serve the Duluth community. Give them a call at 218-724-8227 or check out their website at Duluth Implant Center.
Who is Woodland Family Dental?
Woodland Family Dental is one of Duluth, Minnesota’s top family dental offices. with over 50 five-star reviews on Google and Facebook, our team makes it our mission to provide the best dentistry for anyone that needs it. Our experienced team of dentists offers a wide array of dental services including general cleanings, cosmetic dentistry, and dental implants. Woodland Family Dental is here to help you with your dental needs. Not to mention our great location on Miller Trunk Highway right next to the mall in Duluth, Minnesota. Woodland Family Dental cares about helping our patients and accepts almost all insurances. Set up an appointment today and see why so many families love us. Also, don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Instagram to stay up to date, get more tips, and learn about what our team is up to.
Want more blogs like dentures vs Implants? Check out the link below:
Woodland Family Dental Blogs.
Blogs powered by Finden Marketing