Losing teeth, whether just one or all of them, can be a distressing event for people of all ages and walks of life. The sudden absence of teeth can be a real shock and can often take a toll on your self-esteem and confidence, as well as having an impact on your appearance.
There’s many reasons why you may lose a tooth in your lifetime, from an accident or trauma to the tooth, to advanced gum disease. Whatever the reason, dental experts have spent years dedicated to finding the perfect solution to tooth loss.
If you’ve spoken with your dentist, looked online or mentioned it to friends the chances are you have come across two particularly popular options – Dentures and Dental Implants.
Differences between Dental Implants and Dentures
So what are they, and what’s the difference between them?
Both options have the same goal – to provide the patient with highly realistic prosthetic teeth that will leave your loved ones none-the-wiser. But the way that these teeth are held in place is very different.
Dentures
Traditional dentures are made with an acrylic base, coloured to match your gums. Attached to this base is a set of prosthetic teeth, designed to look natural and attractive. Dentures are held in place using suction and a special adhesive, so they need to be removed and properly cleaned every day with denture-specific products.
They are usually lower in cost to produce but do have restrictions, such as difficulties eating certain foods and being high maintenance, needing frequent replacements as your mouth naturally changes shape over time.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are realistic prosthetic teeth, held in place by titanium implants which are placed into your gum line. This option leaves your natural gum exposed, rather than the acrylic gum cover that Dentures provide. Because of this, it is widely thought that Dental Implants are the most natural and realistic option. Because they are anchored into place, Dental Implants offer flexibility with all foods and drinks, don’t need replacing as your mouth changes shape and function more like your natural teeth.
Dentures:
- Gum-coloured acrylic base, held in place with suction and adhesive
- Lower in price initially
- High maintenance
- Needs replacing frequently
- Food restrictions
- Does not help to prevent jaw bone loss associated with tooth loss
Dental Implants:
- Prosthetic teeth anchored into place with titanium rods
- Leaves natural gum on show providing more realistic results
- Maintains the size and shape of jaw
- Lasts a lifetime will little maintenance
- No food restrictions
- A more natural feel and function for the user
If you are unsure which option is best for you, it’s a good idea to contact your dentist and arrange a consultation. During the consultation, your dentist will be able to discuss which options fit your requirements best, guide prices and what you can expect during the treatment plan for each solution.
Luckily, Oradent Dental Care have highly-skilled Dental Implant specialists at hand to help guide you through your journey back to a full set of healthy teeth once again. We would love to help you gain back your picture-perfect smile, so get in touch with your local Oradent Dental Care practice today to get started.
If you’d like more information, please click here to read more about our Dental Implants Treatment or check the FAQs page to get all your questions answered.
Alternatively you can always request a consultation, by filling in the contact form on our site, with our sought-after Dental Implantologist Dr Anish Patel who would be more than happy to help you with your smile makeover.
