Missing teeth is a common problem amongst Canadians as they age. Having missing teeth can affect your confidence, ability to eat, talk, and even your overall oral health. If you are like most adults, you probably prefer to have a full set of teeth for both aesthetic and functional reasons. Fortunately, you have the choice of replacing your missing tooth or teeth with a bridge, dentures, or dental implants. However, which is the best solution for you? Dentures and dental implants have unique benefits and may not necessarily be for everyone.
Dentures / Dental Bridges or Dental Implants
Dentures and Dental Bridges
Dentures have been the most popular solution for replacing an entire arch of missing teeth or damaged teeth while a dental bridge is a popular solution for replacing one or several teeth. What characterizes dentures and dental bridges is the fact that they are removable.
Benefits
Over the years dental technology has advanced significantly so that dentures / dental bridges today are much more natural-looking and more comfortable than their counterparts several decades ago. They are also less expensive than dental implants. Another characteristic of dentures is the ability to remove them whenever you want. What’s more, they are a less complicated solution for individuals who have unhealthy or weak jaws and do not require oral surgery.
Considerations
Dentures normally need to be secured to your jaw with denture adhesive to prevent them from slipping out of place while you are eating or speaking. Dentures and dental bridges can also result in infections or tooth decay if they’re not fitted properly. Furthermore, if you do have healthy gums and a jawbone, dentures may actually cause sores and jawbone deterioration. They also need to be cleaned regularly or replaced if they show signs of significant wear and as the structure of your jawbone and gums change with age.
Dental Implants
Over the last couple of decades, dental implants have gained popularity due to their availability and increasing success rates. However, there are several factors to consider in order to determine if dental implants are right for you.
Benefits
Dental implants are a more permanent and long-term solution to replacing your missing teeth. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, they are non-removable since they are anchored to your jawbone. Dental implants replicate your natural tooth root making them very stable and therefore able to eliminate embarrassing slipping or shifting without the use of adhesives. Additionally, implants keep stimulating your jawbone while you are chewing which helps prevent bone deterioration that can eventually lead to facial collapse.
Another important benefit is that dental implants can be cared for just as if they were your natural teeth so they basically require less special maintenance than dentures.
Considerations
The main consideration of dental implants is the difference in the initial cost of dental implants when compared to dentures or dental bridges. Nevertheless, when you consider the costs of adhesives and the fact that you need to make adjustments and replace them more often than implants, the overall difference in cost may not be as great or they may be even more cost-effective in the long run.
Another issue you need to take into account is the health of your jawbone and gums. If you have a weak jaw and unhealthy gums, traditional dental implant procedures may not be sufficient for successful osseointegration (the process of the implant fusing with the jawbone) since there may not be enough bone structure to anchor implants. In such cases, you may need bone grafting surgery (bone rebuilding surgery).
However, if you don’t want to undergo the expense of a bone grafting surgical procedure, mini implants may be an option for you. Mini dental implants are used to support loose-fitting dentures as an alternative to normal dental implants. Mini implants are smaller in diameter than conventional implants but that does not mean that they are inferior or that they couldn’t last about the same amount of time as conventional implants if they are properly cared for.
Determining What’s Right for You: Dentures or Dental Implants
In order to determine what is the best solution for your missing or damaged teeth, you need to take into account what dentures and dental implants have to offer you. This may be different for each individual.
For example, if the initial cost is a significant factor then you may opt for dentures or dental bridges instead of dental implants. But if you consider durability, long-term oral health, ease of maintenance, comfort, and appearance, then your best option may be dental implants. As we have mentioned, conventional dental implants need to be installed on healthy jawbone and gums otherwise you may need additional oral surgical procedures or mini implants.
If you have any questions and would like to discuss your options in more detail, our dentists in South Surrey / White Rock at My Dentist at Morgan Creek can help you determine the solution that’s right for you.
My Dentist at Morgan Creek offers implant dentistry services, same-day dental implants, same-day dentures, Cerec® 1 Appointment crowns, for patients with busy schedules. We provide a range of implant dentistry services, such as full arch replacement with implant-supported dentures and implant-supported bridges, and single and mini dental implants. Other services include Implant-supported crowns, guided implant surgeries, bone grafting, soft tissue grafting, sinus augmentation, and ridge modification procedures.
We have been providing dental implants for over 16 years in South Surrey and White Rock, BC. We receive many patient referrals for dental implants. Book your consultation online or call us at 604-542-0123 to find out what your options are.
