Implants vs. Dentures

You find yourself without a tooth, or teeth, and with a decision.  What will you do to fill the void?  There are two clear options: dental implants or dentures.  There are some things you will need to know to help you make the choice that is best for you.

To start, dentures are removable, while dental implants are not.  That might seem like it would not be that big of a deal, but keep in mind that dentures can loosen when you don’t intend for them to, because they aren’t permanently attached. While this is often caused by eating, even the simplest activity, such as speaking, can be what causes your denture to slip.

Dental implants, however, are not removable. They require oral surgery for placement, but are with your smile for the long haul -- through eating and talking and daily brushing and flossing.

Implants and dentures also mean different things for your long-term oral health. When you use removable dentures, your gums can shrink from the appliance moving around -- and your jawbone may weaken because you no longer have natural tooth roots to support bone health. 

An implant takes the place of your real tooth and revitalizes the jawbone, giving it the strength it needs to help your smile stay strong and healthy.

The care required to maintain a set of dentures is a more complicated process. While an implant requires nothing more than standard brushing and flossing, keeping care of dentures requires much more.  Not only do dentures need a special cleaning solution for over-night soaking, they have to be applied with an adhesive, which can be a hit-and-miss process. Dentures may also require many re-fittings throughout years of use. While getting a dental implant can initially be a bigger investment, the care required for dentures over their lifetime should be taken into consideration.

Dentures present further drawbacks for food and drink restrictions. Coffee and teas may stain dentures, and hot liquids may loosen the adhesive keeping false teeth in place.  Don’t even think about eating chewy candies or popcorn while enjoying a movie.  Even meats such as steak, that require a bit of chewing to break down, might prove too much for your denture.  Once your dental implants have been placed and have healed, you can keep your regular diet and enjoy all the foods you love.

While both dentures and dental implants will give you a full smile, their pros and cons should be considered seriously before moving forward with treatment. If you have questions about dental implants, call our office to speak with Drs. Teich and Langstein – we can help you map out all of your options and pick the treatment that’s right for you.