Dental Implants vs. Dentures: Weighing Their Pros and Cons
If you’re missing teeth, there’s no reason to feel ashamed. Tooth loss is fairly common, not only in the elderly but in younger people as well. According to Statistics Canada, loss of natural teeth is often found in adults aged 40 years and older. It can also happen to individuals aged 20 to 39.
According to the History Channel, George Washington began losing his teeth during his twenties and eventually had to wear several sets of dentures made of rare hippopotamus ivory, human teeth and metal fasteners. Fortunately, we have better options today in the form of dental implants and modern dentures. If you can’t decide which one’s better for you, here are the benefits and drawbacks of each option.
Dentures
Dentures are detachable teeth replacements that come in a partial or full set. They’re popular for people who have missing sets of teeth rather than just one or two. To keep them in place, you would need to apply denture paste or adhesive.
People continue to choose this system over dental implants because they’re suitable for individuals with unhealthy gums or weak jaws. Technological advancements have also made dentures look more natural so you don’t have to let everyone know that you’re wearing false teeth. However, while the upfront costs of dentures are less expensive compared to dental implants, you will likely need to replace them every few years. They also need to be cleaned regularly. If not, they will show quick signs of significant wear and tear.
Dental implants
Dental implants are permanent teeth replacements that are implanted surgically into the jawbone. From a comfort and performance standpoint, they feel and function more like your natural teeth compared to dentures. They’re a popular choice among people who only have one or two teeth missing, but they’re also a great alternative to dentures if you have several missing teeth.
While the cost of dental implants in Canada is higher compared to dentures, they last longer and save you money over time. Having dental implants means fewer visits to the dentists because you can clean and care for them as you would for your natural teeth. With dental implants, you can also eat all the food you love and go about your day without worrying that they will fall off. They bring a level of freedom and confidence that may be hard to imagine as a denture wearer.
Why Do You Need False Teeth?
After weighing the pros and cons, it’s vital to know why you need false teeth in the first place. Yes, your confidence may take a hit when you’re missing teeth but the problem goes beyond cosmetic reasons.
Tooth loss affects your health more than you realize. When your gums are exposed, it’s easy for food and bacteria to get stuck in them. These bits of food and bacteria can lead to nasty infections that are detrimental to your overall health.
The condition also affects your jaw structure. Neighboring teeth will try to fill the gap by shifting to cover your lost soldier. This shift can have a domino effect because as your teeth and jawbone shift over time, your mouth’s structure will also become more unstable. This could very possibly lead to tooth decay and you losing even more teeth.
When the time comes for you to choose between the two options, pick the one that’s ideal for your budget and lifestyle. The cost of dental implants or dentures may place a temporary dent in your pocket but at the end of the day, you need them to maintain your appearance, oral hygiene and overall physical health.
Dentures are capable of not only replacing bad teeth but also correcting many issues related to the loss of teeth. Individuals who are missing several teeth often experience shifting and moving of teeth that can further damage your oral health.
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Thank you for telling me that the reason people choose dentures over implants is that they’re suitable for people with unhealthy gums or weak jaws. My grandmother also had a missing set of teeth, so I think it’s best for her to opt for dentures. It’s also good to know that they look more natural, since my grandmother doesn’t want to make it look like she’s wearing false teeth.
I liked what you said about how dentures are really useful and they are less expensive but may need to be replaced every couple of years. My cousin has been thinking about replacing a couple of her teeth and ensuring that she can be a lot safer and doesn’t have to worry about damaging things. She would really like to get some help from a professional that is made for her and the dentures can be protected better.