6 Differences Between Dental Implants and Dentures

Teeth loss occurs due to various reasons. It can either be old age, trauma due to an accident, or tooth decay. What follows is a rigorous process of selecting the right teeth replacement option for you. The most common options being dental implants and dentures.

To simplify things, we have come up with some basic information and a list of the most visible and functional differences between these options. Read on to know more.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are tiny artificial tooth roots made of titanium alloy and are inserted into a patient’s jawbone in a quick dental procedure. These roots merge with the jawbone over time and work as anchors to the new artificial teeth which get fixed on top of them.

What are dentures?

Dentures are a set of artificial teeth that are fixed on a frame to be placed on the gums of a patient suffering from teeth loss. They can be customised according to the patient’s requirements. Dentures can be partial or complete depending upon the number of teeth to be replaced.

1. Qualities:

As dental implants are fixed to your jawbone, they are permanent and cannot be removed at home. They become a part of your body and you need professional help to remove them.

However, dentures are easily removable. They can be removed when you want without any professional help after you get used to them. But this quality also makes them prone to slip especially while laughing and eating food.

2. Target Patient Age:

Dental implants need sturdy jawbones and gums for support. And anyone with a strong jawbone and gums to support can have dental implants. They are not recommended for children as their teeth are still growing. But adults are suitable for dental implants. There are cases when seniors, well in their 90s, could have dental implants.

All those who do not have the required jawbone density and strong and healthy gums can go for dentures. The age group mostly includes senior citizens.

3. Hygiene:

Cleaning dental implants is easy because they are just like your natural teeth. One might be tempted to not clean dental implants thinking that artificial teeth cannot get decay. But leftover food particles can damage your gums which affects your dental implants too.

Looking after dentures is tedious for most patients. You need to take them out and immerse in a cleaning liquid solution throughout the night. Also, clean your mouth after every meal to ensure no food particles are stuck between your teeth.

4. Longevity:

Dental implants can last a lifetime if taken proper care of. Their longevity depends on successful surgery and aftercare.

While dentures do not last as long as dental implants due to their constant placing and removing. They need to be replaced at regular intervals.

5. Aesthetics:

Dental implants resemble your natural teeth. Other people you meet can hardly tell them from natural teeth. They also help you retain a sharp jawline which usually deteriorates with age.

Dentures look like your natural teeth but act completely different. Dentures are not as manageable as dental implants. They do not feel like natural teeth and there are various food items you must avoid as they also decrease your chewing capacity.

6. Costs:

With all the functional and aesthetic benefits of dental implants, you might need to pay much more than other teeth replacement options. But dentures are relatively less expensive on the other hand.

Select a teeth replacement options after consulting an experienced specialist dentist only. They can help you select the best option for your dental and budgetary requirements.