Dental Implants vs Conventional Dentures – The Pros And Cons Discussed
Did you know that having multiple missing teeth doesn’t just change the way you look, it can also cause a variety of underlying problems that may affect your overall health? The good news is that you don’t have to suffer with missing teeth. Instead there are a number of treatments that can be done to ensure teeth are replaced and bite function is restored. Two of the most popular are conventional dentures and dental implants. With this in mind, let’s take a closer look and discuss the pros and cons of each.
Familiarity
Conventional dentures have been around in some form or another for centuries and are something that people are very familiar with. Nowadays they’re made using lightweight composites and are far more comfortable and natural-looking than their predecessors. On the contrary, dental implants are a relatively new treatment and despite there being a multitude of information available, many people are still wary of what they can offer and how they can help.
Non surgical vs surgical
The making and fitting of conventional dentures is straight forward and involves a series of appointments to enable the dental team to measure and construct your new teeth. The fitting process is simple and relies on suction to hold them in place so that they sit comfortably on the gum line. Because of this, dentures offer the perfect solution for those with weakened or unhealthy jaws. The whole process from start to finish should take somewhere between 3-6 weeks to complete.
Dental implants, on the other hand, are surgically placed directly into the jawbone and as such require a healthy mouth and good jaw bone structure. If a patient is lacking in bone, then they may need a bone graft. Acting as artificial tooth roots, implants provide permanent strong support for dental crowns, bridges, or even full arches of teeth. On the downside, the whole process, from initial consultation to the fitting of the permanent prosthetic, can take up to 9 months to complete; so unlike dentures, dental implants aren’t a quick-fix solution.
Bone loss
Because conventional dentures are designed to sit on the gum line they can’t halt the natural bone loss process that occurs naturally when teeth are missing. For this reason, the denture has to be regularly adjusted as the jaw shrinks to ensure a continued snug fit. Eventually, after a number of years (usually somewhere between 7-10) the denture will need replacing altogether.
Conversely, because dental implants are secured directly into the jaw bone, they re-stimulate the surrounding bone tissue halting the bone loss process altogether. So no more jaw shrinkage. What’s more, provided that the implants are well maintained, they will remain permanently in the mouth for many years to come, providing a hassle-free, long-term solution.
To find out more about dentures or dental implants why not book yourself a no-obligation consultation with the Beacon Smiles team. Here you can get all your questions and concerns answered allowing you to make a fully informed dental decision. To make an appointment contact us on (587) 317-4094 or book via our website.
