Missing teeth don’t only affect your smile, they also pose risks for your oral and overall health. Leaving a tooth gap empty can result in various health problems, including teeth misalignment, gum disease, and even malnutrition.
It’s critical that you replace your missing tooth as soon as possible to prevent it from affecting your overall health. Fortunately, there are several teeth replacement options available, with dental implants and dentures being two of the most popular ones.
Read on to find out if dental implants or dentures suit your budget and lifestyle better.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is a metal fixture fastened to the jawbone where the artificial tooth or the crown is mounted. Its biggest advantage is that it acts as the tooth’s root, anchoring the bone in the jaw to prevent it from deteriorating over time.
You need to undergo surgery to get dental implants. Here, the dentist will extract the damaged root before implanting the metal prosthetic root into the jawbone. It doesn’t happen in one go, however. A dental implant surgery is usually performed in stages to give your jawbone enough time to heal and regrow around the metal root.
Many patients are wary about getting dental implants because of the surgery and the lengthy process. Implants, however, are permanent, which means you don’t have to worry about them again after having them done the first time. You don’t have to get them replaced or refitted, unlike dentures.
Additionally, dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth, so they won’t affect your smile, bite, or speech. Dentures, on the other hand, can be ill-fitting, which can make eating or speaking difficult.
Dental implants, according to the American Dental Association (ADA), cost between $1,600 and $2,200 per tooth.
Dentures
Dentures are removable, prosthetic teeth made from porcelain, resin, or metal that are fitted onto the gaps in the teeth. The framework of the dentures, which acts as a replacement for your gum tissue, is often made from acrylic.
You can get dentures to replace either an entire row of teeth or just a few missing ones.
To create your dentures, the dentist will first study your bite and the alignment of your upper and lower teeth to make sure that the dentures don’t affect your speech and chewing. Afterward, they’ll fit a preliminary set of dentures onto your teeth then make any necessary adjustments before making the final set of dentures.
Dentures don’t last as long as dental implants do, but they are more cost-friendly. The ADA says that a complete set of upper or lower dentures cost around $1,600 to $2,500.
Note that dentures become loose over time because the gums shrink when they no longer hold teeth in place. Make sure to have your dentures replaced when this happens because ill-fitting dentures can result in inflamed gums, eating and speaking problems, and blisters and wounds that put you at risk of infection.
Choosing between Dentures and Implants
Dental implants are the better option if you’re looking for a long-term solution that you never have to worry about again. Implants also restore the full function and look of your teeth, so you’ll feel like you never lost a tooth in the first place.
But if you’re looking for a more affordable option, then opt for dentures. You can have dentures for an entire row of teeth made for the same price as one dental implant. Just remember to practice proper oral hygiene to prolong your dentures’ lifespan.
Before committing to a choice, it’s still best to consult your dentist first, though. They’ll examine your dental condition to prescribe the best teeth replacement option for your needs, making sure that the treatment will help you eat and talk with no problem.
Restorative Dentistry Services in Scottsdale, Arizona
Rod W. Gore, DDS is a trusted dentist offering general, cosmetic, and restorative dental care for the entire family. We treat patients of all ages, from babies to older adults. We’ll restore the natural appearance and function of your teeth so you can keep living life to the fullest.
Call 480-585-6225 or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment today.