When looking to replace missing or badly damaged and decayed teeth, your two main options will be the use of dental implants or dentures. While both of these options have benefits to offer, neither option will be right for every patient. That is why it is so important to carefully consider the pros and cons of both options before deciding which tooth replacement option is right for you. The information outlined below can help you to accomplish this task.

Strength

Dental implants are surgically placed in your jawbone in order to provide the same strength as a natural tooth. Dentures on the other hand, are simply placed on top of the gums and are therefore not backed by the strength of bone. As a result, patients who choose dentures may experience problems chewing or biting some foods.

Length Of Procedure

The process of receiving dental implants can easily take several months. Furthermore, there is no way to rush this process, as your jawbone must be allowed to heal after having the implants surgically placed before you are able to move on to the next step in the process.

While the process of getting dentures used to take several weeks or months to complete, this is not the case anymore. In fact, many denture clinics are now offering same-day service. Consequently, dentures are the clear winner in this category if you are looking to replace a tooth quickly.

Appearance

There really is no contest when it comes to the appearance of dental implants versus the appearance of dentures. This is because the fact that dental implants are anchored in your jawbone rather than sitting on top of your gums allows these tooth replacements to provide a far more natural appearance and feel than dentures can deliver. This is one of the primary reasons that dental implants have become so popular in recent years.

Maintenance

Dental implants are typically considered easier to care for then dentures. This is because dental implants and crowns can be brushed and flossed just like your natural teeth, while dentures must be removed from your mouth in order to be cleaned. Dental implants also offer the ability to last a lifetime without the need for adjustments or replacements. This feature makes them much easier to maintain in the long run than dentures that will typically require adjustment or replacement every few years.

The Bottom Line

There are a wide variety of factors that will need to be considered when choosing between the use of dental implants or dentures. In order to ensure you are truly making the best possible decision, you will need to discuss each of these factors with a reputable dentist.  

For more information, contact John S. Lyon DDS or a similar dental professional.