Making A Decision Between Implants And Dentures

If you have a few teeth missing, and you are ready to take the plunge in having dental work done to improve your smile, you will need to decide which course of action to take in obtaining your desired results. Most people make the decision between dentures or implants when they need to fill in holes where teeth are no longer present. Here is some information about each method to help you make an informed decision on which procedure would work best for your specific situation.

Find Out Eligibility

Before you can make a decision on which method suits your needs, you need to find out if implants are an option for you. If your jaw bone structure is not strong, an implant procedure would not be able to be done. Your dentist will take X-rays of your mandible area to find out the structural integrity before giving you the option in having an implant procedure. If you had lost your teeth due to advanced gum disease or periodontal disease, your bones may have been affected, making it difficult for implants to fuse into place. 

Know Your Limit

If you are not a fan of a surgical procedure, you may want to hold off on implants until you feel comfortable with being put under with general anesthesia. An implant procedure will have risks and you will have some pain afterwards. People with a fear of surgery may get dentures while they contemplate moving up to a more permanent solution in the future. 

If you don't mind having an operation, implants would save you a lot of time in caring for your new teeth. You would do the same oral care regimen for your implants as you do with the rest of your teeth. Dentures require a lot of cleaning time to keep them from becoming damaged and so they work properly.

Compare The Differences

Knowing the differences between the final outcome will help you decide which route you would like to follow. Implants look and feel just like real teeth. You can eat foods without restriction, have no pain at all after the surgical procedure heals, and will have no worry about your teeth falling out in front of others. As with any surgery, there is a risk of infection or a problem with anesthesia. The cost will be higher than that of dentures. 

With dentures, you will enjoy having your smile for a lower price overall. However, you will need to adhere to food restrictions and may experience some soreness in the gums if you wear your dentures too long. Since dentures are a non-permanent solution, your body is not altered in any way, making them virtually risk-free other than a possibly bacteria buildup from improper cleaning. Doing complete cleanings regularly will reduce this risk. Unlike implants, there is the worry of an improper bond with your denture adhesive. This can lead to embarrassment if your dentures slide out of place. 

For a dentist in your area, contact an office such as The Center For Progressive Dentistry.