At Dana Street Dental we understand that missing teeth damage your ability to chew and enjoy food, but they also have a psychological impact. The issue is far from rare, with the average Australian adult missing five teeth.
Luckily, there are several options for replacing teeth, including dental implants, dental bridges and dentures. Let’s take a look at dentures vs implants pros and cons – the two most common ways to replace missing teeth..
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are metal rods inserted into the jaw that imitate the root of a tooth. They look like screws, but they are small and fit right where your original tooth used to be.
Implants are topped with artificial teeth known as crowns, which can look just like natural teeth depending on the material used. Your specific crowns are made to match the surrounding teeth, so there’s no need for anyone to know you have one or more implants.
Lifestyle choices like smoking can impact recovery time after dental work. After getting your implants at Dana Dental, our expert dental professionals will give you full aftercare instructions.
Pros
- Implants with crowns have a natural look
- They are long-lasting
- Completely comfortable after healing time
- You retain your chewing ability
- Prevent adjacent and opposing teeth from leaning into the space where the missing teeth are
- As the dental implant is within the jawbone, it will hold the surrounding bone: preventing resorption of the bone where the teeth used to be
Cons
- Can be expensive
- There is healing time to consider
- As with any surgery, there are occasional complications
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are traditional ‘false teeth’, either full or partial. Partial dentures replace anything from a couple of missing teeth to most of the teeth in the upper or lower jaw. Partial dentures are held in the mouth by clips that attach to remaining teeth, while full dentures are sometimes held in with adhesive. Dentures are made to fit your mouth and, where possible, mimic your former smile.
Reviews on dentures vs implants often cite the affordability of dentures as a huge pro. Let’s look at some of the others, along with the cons.
Pros
- Dentures are cheaper than implants
- They don’t require invasive procedures
- There is no healing time for getting dentures when teeth don’t need to be removed
- Modern dentures mimic natural teeth well
Cons
- Dentures have to be removed and cleaned
- They can be uncomfortable for some people
- Dentures may need to be replaced every few years
- Facial changes may occur, especially with full dentures
- With time bone loss occurs following teeth removal, denture cannot prevent this
Dental Implants vs Dentures in Comparison
So, why do some people choose dentures while others go for implants? It may be a case of dental anxiety around more invasive procedures, cost, worries about healing time, or simply personal preference. To get more of an idea let’s look at the procedures for both.
Procedure Details
Dentures are made from moulds of your gums after any teeth that need to be extracted are removed. Immediate dentures are made from moulds created right after tooth or teeth removal and will need to be adjusted once your gums heal. Conventional dentures aren’t moulded until your gums are healed, meaning you will spend a month or so without some or all of your teeth.
Implants are installed under local or general anaesthesia. The procedure can be simple or complex depending on your oral health. If several surgeries are needed, there may be healing time between them. Sometimes, jaw bone grafts are also needed.
Cost of Installation
Dentures cost around $1000 – 2500 AUD depending on the number of teeth and the base material. Dental implants cost around $4000 – 5000 per tooth.
Dentures are initially much less expensive than implants when replacing many teeth. But over time this can be a false economy as dentures need to be adjusted or replaced every few years.
Durability and Maintenance
Implants are extremely durable. Maintenance is simple – just treat them like your regular teeth! Brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit the dentist regularly.
Most dentures last around 5-7 years. They may need some adjustment every year to fit your changing gums and any shifts in your jaw. You need to rinse dentures after eating, clean your dentures with a toothbrush daily, and soak them overnight. Since dental implants are permanent and fixed, they don’t need as much care as dentures.
Final Thoughts on Dentures vs Implants at Dana Street Dental
Generally, implants are the gold standard in tooth replacement. Of course, we understand that affordability is a consideration for many of our patients, and we’ll help you make the right choice for restoring your smile.
Ultimately, replacing lost teeth is a personal decision. Get in touch with the experts at Dana Street Dental for more information specific to your situation.
