Dentures vs. Dental Implants

It can be difficult to deal with missing teeth, whether they were lost due to an accident, infection, or some other dental complication. The missing teeth may affect your appearance, your eating habits, your speech, or how you feel about yourself—or any combination of these things. Whether you have one missing tooth or several, you have choices when it comes to filling in that space. You will need to think about your lifestyle and your budget when making a decision about which way to go.

Both dental implants and dentures can provide you with a replacement that will restore the functionality to your bite and the brightness to your smile. Each choice comes with its own pros and cons. At Pacific Northwest Prosthodontics, we're here to help you make the right decision for you. Let's start by learning more about these two types of dental appliances and why you might need them.

Causes and Impacts of Missing Teeth

There are many reasons you may have lost teeth (or be in the process of losing teeth). Some common reasons are:

• Accidents
• Sports injuries
• Periodontal (gum) disease
• Tooth cracked/chipped/damaged beyond repair
• Genetics (hypodontia)
• Aging
• Poor nutrition
• Poor dental hygiene/lack of access to dental care
• Smoking
• Disease (heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and emphysema, to name a few)

The loss of a tooth (or multiple teeth) can have an impact on eating, biting, and speaking, as well as cause bone loss. Perhaps most importantly, missing teeth can have a huge impact on one's appearance and self-esteem. Thankfully, if you're missing a tooth (or multiple teeth), there are replacement solutions. Prosthodontists such as those here at Pacific Northwest Prosthodontics will work with you to come up with a treatment plan that will minimize or eliminate the effects of your missing teeth. Dental implants and dentures are the two options which are most likely to be presented to you.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are posts which are placed into your jawbone. After several months of healing, a crown is placed on top of the post. Dental implants are a very common method for replacing missing teeth. These appliances are permanent. Once installed, implants can last as long as 25 years—if not longer. They are a great solution when you have one missing tooth. Implants also play a role in dental bridges. Your prosthodontist will begin by performing a thorough examination of your mouth. They may take x-rays to ensure they have a clear understanding of what's going on and ask you questions about how you lost your teeth and how your mouth has felt since.

It is not a quick process to install implants, but it is a clear-cut one. Implants have three parts, and there's a step for each part. First, since the implant will be placed inside your jawbone, the prosthodontist will use imaging to make sure the bone can withstand the implant. If the bone is insufficient, you will need to go through augmentation surgery. During this surgery, bone or a bone-like material will be added to your jawbone—enough so the implant will work. There is a recovery period of several months, during which the bone fully heals.

When the bone is ready, the implant post can be installed. Once installed, it takes several months for osseointegration to take place—this is when your bone grows around the implant post. After osseointegration is complete, it's time for the abutment to be attached to the post. The abutment will hold your replacement tooth. Your prosthodontist will cut into your gum to connect the abutment with the post. Healing from this procedure can take four to six weeks.

Once your gums have healed, the prosthodontist will take impressions of the area where your replacement tooth will go. A crown will be made that matches the color of your natural teeth and fits perfectly in that space. Once the crown has been made, it's attached to the abutment, and you're good to go!

Dentures

There are two types of dentures. There are the removable kind—the kind you likely think of when you think of dentures—and there are denture implants. Denture implants are dentures attached to dental implants, such as the ones described above. The first step for getting dentures will be meeting with the prosthodontist for an exam and to create a treatment plan that's just right for you.

Your prosthodontist will check on your general oral health to help determine the best way to proceed. They will look for tooth decay, signs of infection, and any previous dental work that may present challenges for placing dentures. If any teeth need to be extracted, this will be done prior to creating the dentures. If you have to have teeth taken out, you will be fitted for immediate dentures (temporary dentures) which you can use while your mouth heals.

The creation of permanent dentures begins with an impression of your gums and any teeth that may remain in your mouth. The prosthodontist will also take careful measurements to ensure a perfect fit. When the dentures are ready, they will be fitted to your mouth. The prosthodontist will want to make sure that you can use the dentures without any pain and that you have a bite that will work well for eating and speaking. They will make adjustments as needed until you are completely comfortable with your new appliance.

Dentures can take some time to get used to, and they require some special care to keep them in good working condition. However, once you've had time to adjust, you are likely to find that they are a great substitute for your natural teeth.

Dentures vs. Dental Implants

Every person is unique, and how you replace missing teeth is a very personal decision. Your prosthodontist is likely to go over the pros and cons of each type of appliance to help you decide what to get. The pros of dental implants include that they are an advanced procedure and a permanent solution for missing teeth. The cons include the length of time the process takes and the cost—implants can be very expensive.

As for dentures, some pros are that, both aesthetically and in terms of cost-effectiveness, they are a great way to replace those missing teeth. On the other hand, dentures need to be replaced occasionally, and if they become loose, they can become hard to deal with, so these are cons to keep in mind.

What's Right for You

If you have missing teeth and want to learn more about which options may work best for you, look no further than Pacific Northwest Prosthodontics. We'll be happy to sit down with you and work out a plan that will have you smiling in no time. Make an appointment today!