Dentures are one of the most popular forms of tooth replacement, especially for those who have lost most or all of their teeth. Because they are removable, dentures are typically easy to clean and don’t require surgical implantation. Additionally, the adjustment period for dentures is typically quite short, and they are usually the most cost-efficient option for tooth replacement. However, there are many downsides to dentures that cause many wearers to consider replacing their dentures with dental implants.
Inserting and removing them can be a pain. Since dentures aren’t surgically fastened to your jaw, they require a special adhesive in order to stay in place throughout the day, usually in the form of a cream. Sometimes dentures will slip out of place if the adhesive isn’t strong enough, and if it’s too strong, removal at the end of the day can be painful.
They change your appearance and voice. Many long-time denture wearers will notice that their face shape subtly changes over time. This is because the jaw will gradually adapt to the shape of the dentures, causing slight appearance changes that wearers are usually unhappy with. Additionally, the shape and alignment of a person’s teeth has a huge effect on the way they speak; therefore, dentures can change speech patterns and timbre, making it difficult for wearers to sound like themselves.
Eating certain foods can be difficult. Depending on the dentures, some wearers experience difficulty eating hard or crunchy foods without loosening or discomfort.
Even if you haven’t experienced these or similar issues, but are looking for a more permanent solution for your smile, you may want to consider dental implants. Dental implants are essentially artificial tooth roots that allow replacement teeth such as crowns and bridges to be installed on a sturdy base. When compared to dentures, dental implants boast a long list of perks.
They’ll never slip or loosen. Loose teeth are one of the most significant gripes for denture wearers. Whether you decide to get completely fixed dental implants or special attachments that allow you to latch your implants into place, while still allowing you to remove them easily, you’ll never experience any uncomfortable looseness or have to worry that your implants could slip out at any moment.
You can eat any foods you like. With dental implants, there’s very little risk of knocking a tooth loose from eating a particularly hard or tough food.
They’re easy to care for. When you have dental implants, the cleaning process will be essentially the same as caring for real teeth. Though implants aren’t susceptible to the same decay as real teeth, caring for your gums and underlying bone is still very important. Also, you’ll no longer have to take the time to insert your dentures in the morning or remove them at the end of the day.
Depending on the health of your jawbone, you may have to receive a bone graft in order to install dental implants. Ask your dentist about bone grafting options and whether or not dental implants are the right choice for you.
