Dental Implants vs Partial Dentures: Which one should You Choose for your Tooth Replacement?

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, there are two options available: dental implants and dentures and partials. You might want to choose something different than the one you think would be better for you or your oral health. Both options could help in improving your smile and making you feel more confident about yourself. It’s not easy deciding which one is better for you, so you should take some time to reflect on your needs and wants.

What are Dental Implants?

The dental implants procedure is designed to provide replacement of your teeth with an artificial tooth root in such a way that there will be no difference between the natural and artificial part. Dental implants become part of the bone, providing a foundation for replacement teeth.

What are Partial Dentures?

Partial dentures are a type of dental implant that replaces one or more missing teeth. They’re removable and can be used for chewing, speaking, smiling, eating and drinking. Partial dentures are custom-made to fit your mouth and teeth, so they look and feel like your natural teeth.

Partial dentures can be made of many different materials, including metal, ceramic resin, plastic (e.g., acrylic), or silicone. Metal partial dentures are the most durable option but also the most expensive option.

Dental Implants vs Partial Dentures 

1. Comfort and Reliability 

Dental implants are more reliable than dentures because they are more secure and stable. They are also made to feel more natural, so you can eat, drink, brush your teeth, and talk confidently.

Dentures have to be fitted by a dentist every time they are replaced. This can be inconvenient if you have a lot of dental work done. 

2. Cost

Dental implants can cost anywhere from $3000 to $10,000 per tooth. Partial dentures are less expensive than dental implants. A partial denture costs around $1,000-$2,000 for each tooth it replaces; however, it typically takes two visits to complete a partial denture, and some additional costs may be associated with that (such as a bite guard).

3. Teeth Health Support

Teeth health support is a key factor in choosing between implants and partial dentures. Partial dentures provide support for the teeth by holding them in place, whereas implants attach to the jawbone. The latter option can be used to replace missing teeth on one or more teeth.

4. Complications 

The most common complication from dentures is the failure of the appliance and the loss of support. This can be caused by the wearing away of the tooth structure or by the loss of support from a partial denture that has been lost over time.

Deciding on Dentures vs Implants

1. Age 

The younger you are, the more likely you are to need an implant. In fact, if you’re younger than 40 and have no other health issues, dentists will surely recommend you to go for implants because they offer more stability. However, people who are in their 50s or 60s would likely get dentures. 

2. Bone Density

When you have lost bone density, you may not be a good candidate for implants because they need to have a certain amount of jawbone material in order to support the posts.

3. Function and feel

When it comes to the feel and overall comfort, Dental Implants can provide you with a better comfort level when compared to Dentures. 

4. Hygiene

Dentures require more time with their maintenance, so if you are someone who is busy, you must go with implants which require less maintenance but are also more expensive. 

Alternatives to Dentures and Implants 

Snap-In Dentures

Snap-in dentures are removable dentures, meaning that the framework of the denture fits over your existing teeth and is held in place with a screw. The denture can be adjusted to fit your mouth.

Snap-in dentures are typically made of metal, plastic or ceramic. They have a base plate that attaches to your jawbone and a bridge that attaches to the base plate at specific points. This allows for a more secure fit than partial dentures and allows you to eat foods with higher acidity levels.

Because of their durability and strength, snap-in dentures are generally recommended for patients who have lost one or more teeth due to disease or injury and cannot wear traditional removable appliances.

How Long Do Dentures and Implants Last?

The average life expectancy for a dental implant is 15 years. This means that if you have a single implant in the upper jaw, it should last as long as you do. If you have two implants, they can last up to 20 years.

Dentures, on the other hand, are not as long-lasting. The average life expectancy of dentures is 5-10 years. However, this depends on how well you take care of your dentures and how much plaque builds up in them.

Conclusion:

This was pretty much everything that you need to know about Dentures and Dental Implants we recommend you to visit a dentist if you need any assistance, information and checkups regarding Dentures and Partials. 

About the Author:

Dr. Anu Isaac, DMD the best dentist in salem, MA, runs a Coral Dental Care a successful dentistry. Dr. Isaac strives for quality on a daily basis and this commitment to quality is reflected in her constant pursuit of advanced training.  Her firm belief that even experts need to stay updated about what’s new in the dental field, enables her to provide every patient with optimal oral care.  As the founder of Coral Dental Care, she is dedicated to creating healthy, beautiful smiles for her patients and also to educating dental and non-dental community with her engaging articles on all things related to oral health, recent dental innovations, and latest treatment modalities.


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