In this post, we are going to review the differences between dentures and dental implants, and see which one is the better option.
Why replace missing teeth?
Losing one or more teeth can be distressing, by creating gaps in your smile and impacting your self-esteem and your health. The gaps in your smile can affect your ability to chew properly and expose your gums, where food and bacteria could get stuck and cause infections and gum disease. In addition, missing teeth can affect the structure of your jaw and cause other teeth to shift changing your bite and also causing further loss of teeth.
What happens when I have jawbone loss?
Your jawbone is essential in creating the structure of your face. When you lose a tooth, your jawbone shrinks, changing not only your smile, but also the shape of your face. This may cause you to prematurely age.
How to replace teeth?
There are two different options dentists recommend when replacing your teeth: dentures and dental implants.
Dentures are removable teeth. They can come in a full set or a partial set, depending on the amount of teeth lost. They sit on your gums and will need to be removed before you go to sleep and submerged in water to prevent them from drying out.
Dental Implants on the other hand are permanent, bonding with your jawbone and making it look and feel like natural teeth. This means you can enjoy food like you normally would without worrying that your dentures would shift in your mouth.
Which one is better?
Dentures are the more affordable option. Dentists are able to replace a partial row or an entire row of teeth, and make them look like your natural teeth. However, as they are not firmly attached to the jawbone there is a tradeoff in comfort when chewing, they do require more maintenance and would not solve the problem of jawbone loss.
Dental implants give you back your natural smile and prevent your jawbone from shrinking. You would simply need to maintain them as you would normally do your natural teeth, giving you back your self-confidence.
Everyone has a different situation, so it is always best to seek advice from your trusted dentist who understands and knows how to take care of your teeth. Contact us today and book your appointment at 416-691-4768 for a consultation.
Written By: Jacqueline Di Falco Gamilde
Image by macrovector on Freepix
Image by Creatas Images on Free Images