Dental Implants vs. Dentures – Pros and Cons

Surprisingly, millions of Americans are missing some or all of their teeth due to accidents, decay, or gum disease. If you’re one of them, you can choose to get either dental implants or dentures, which can help restore lost self-confidence.

There are many advantages to both. Unfortunately, they each also have their disadvantages. Let’s go over the pros and cons.

Dental Implants

Implants are replacement teeth with a titanium post that is surgically fused with the jawbone, creating a strong bond to hold the replacement in place. This process can be easily performed whether you need one implant or opt for the All-on-4 dental implant procedure.

Pros of Dental Implants

  • With good dental hygiene, dental implants can last for 20 years or more.
  • Because they are anchored to your jawbone just like normal teeth, caring for normal implants or the All-on-4 is extremely easy.
  • They feel like normal teeth, so it’s less likely others will know the difference.
  • The All-on-4 implant procedure can replace your top and bottom teeth in a day.
  • You can eat almost anything you would normally, including foods that are sticky or crunchy.
  • They help to keep neighboring teeth in position and do not require modification to existing teeth.

Cons of Dental Implants

  • This is an oral surgery, and many procedures may be required.
  • The cost of dental implants or the All-on-4 dental procedure can be daunting. Cost is usually based on many factors including your oral surgeon’s experience, your dental health, and whether additional procedures will be required.

Dentures

Dentures are removable replacements for missing teeth and the surrounding tissue. They can be full sets of teeth or individual replacements simply used to fill in gaps. Full sets of dentures rest on the gums, while individual replacements are supported by attachments to the teeth surrounding the denture.

Pros of Dentures

  • They are easy to create and to replace.
  • Dentures are a more affordable choice for many patients.
  • The process to replace them is non-invasive, so no surgery is required.

Cons of Dentures

  • Unfortunately, dentures require more maintenance than dental implants. For instance, if denture adhesive is not used to secure the dentures correctly, they can slip out of place—which can be embarrassing.
  • The higher maintenance causes an increased need for replacement. Most dentures will need to be replaced every five to six years.
  • Dentures can be harder to talk with.
  • Food can become trapped in dentures, which can lead to decay in the teeth around them or further gum disease.
  • Dentures are fragile and break easily if dropped or if they slip out of place.

 

For more information on the All-on-4 dental implant procedure, the teeth in a day procedure, or if you would like more information on whether dental implants or dentures is the better option for you, please contact us today.