If you are looking to have some dental work done as a result of losing or damaging a tooth you may well be offered the choice of either having dental implants or dentures.
If you go to somewhere like Northstar Dental Care, for instance, they will carry out a clinical assessment and talk through your options based on what is likely to be the best solution for your dental problem.
If you are not sure what the difference is between dental implants and dentures here is a look at what type of dental solution each one offers. This can help you to make an informed decision once your dentist has talked through their recommendations with you.
What is a dental implant?
Let’s start with the basics and take a look at what each type of treatment offers.
A dental implant is basically a replacement tooth for the one you are now missing or have broken beyond repair. It is covered by a crown. This makes it look like you still have your natural tooth and is a way of repairing a specific problem.
The dental implant is fixed to your jawbone using a titanium screw. The crown is then placed over the top to provide an aesthetically pleasing finish that returns your smile to its former glory before you lost a tooth.
What are dentures?
You may well be more familiar with what dentures are, as people have been using so-called false teeth as a dental solution for some time.
A Denture is a description used for the metal or plastic framework designed to hold a varying number of false teeth. Dentures are removable so that you can clean them.
Dentures can provide a cost-effective solution if you have a number of teeth that are missing or need replacing. As well as having full or partial dentures, it is also feasible to choose implant-supported dentures. These are designed to clip onto your dental implants.
Aesthetics and functionality
The obvious question when comparing dentures against dental implants is which one looks better?
Dentures have evolved to look more natural these days. On the other hand, a dental implant looks and feels like a real tooth.
It should also be said that it can take time to get used to wearing dentures. However, if you have a dental implant you should be able to eat normally and won’t suffer any problems with your speech as a result of having a tooth that looks and feels just like the real one you had before.
It should also be noted that a dental implant is designed to retain its strength and remain secure in your mouth, even when your mouth changes shape as you get older.
Which one is best?
Although having dentures fitted is usually a quicker solution than having implants, the short-term gain is not really a sufficient reason to choose dentures over implants.
Dentures need to be replaced every five years or so. An implant is designed to last as long as a natural tooth as long as you look after it, like the rest of your natural teeth.
All things considered, implants offer a more aesthetically pleasing and longer-term solution if you need to fix a broken tooth.
Speak to your dentist and they will be happy to discuss your options so that you can choose the dental solution that works best for you.