How do I decide whether dentures or dental implants are the right choice for me?
There are a lot of reasons why you may be thinking about having some or all of your teeth replaced with dentures or dental implants. You are definitely not alone. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) put out statistics showing that more than two-thirds of adults in their 30s and 40s are missing one or more teeth because of decay, gum disease or some sort of trauma. We all know that those numbers just get worse with age.
Missing teeth can cause bone loss and allow other teeth to shift so the sooner you make a decision about replacement, the better. To do this you will need to consider the pros and cons of dentures versus implants so that you can make an informed decision about what would be the right choice for you.
The Cohen Dental Care team here in Great Neck recognizes that each person’s situation is unique and are ready to help you make the decision between dentures and implants and get you started right away.
Implants or Dentures?
Dentures and implants share some similarities and some critical differences. While both are made of prosthetic teeth, one of the primary differences between dentures and implants is that dentures are removable and implants are permanently “implanted” in the mouth.
We are all familiar with dentures, which have been around since the 7th century BC, according to ancient Italian records. Of course, they’ve come a long way since then. Today’s dentures are so realistic that no one will know you are wearing them unless you tell them.
What you may not realize, however, is that dental implants have also been in use for thousands of years, including Chinese efforts some 4,000 years ago. It wasn’t until the midpoint of the 20th century that titanium was discovered to be the perfect base material, leading to the remarkable success of today’s implants.
While there can be a wide range of factors, the most basic comparisons that need to be made between implants and dentures are related to preference, price and health.
Preference
In a perfect world, where preference would be the only consideration, dental implants would win hands down. They are strong, durable and completely natural-looking. Taking care of them is exactly the same as your natural teeth, and there is no chance of an embarrassing moment from them slipping or the inconvenience of having to remove them at night.
The one area where dentures might be preferable would be in the case of someone who did not wish to go through the process of having the implants put in. But even this is increasingly becoming less of a consideration as the process continues to improve.
Price
The initial price of dental implants is considerably more than dentures. That said, with dentures, there will be ongoing maintenance costs, as well as the cost of special products, like adhesives, that will need to be used. Add to that the fact that dentures will need to be replaced every 5 to 10 years and the difference in cost may not be as much as it initially seems.
Health
Unfortunately, implants may not be an option for everyone. If there has been significant bone loss or gum damage or there are jaw issues or weaknesses, dentures may well be the better choice. Also, if you suffer from certain health conditions, like diabetes or leukemia, or if you are a long-time smoker, then implants may not be the ideal option for you.
In the end, the decision is a personal one that should be made with the help of your trusted dental healthcare professional. What is not in question, however, is the fact that replacing missing teeth can be a life-changer.
If you have questions about dental implants, dentures, or any of our services, whether dentistry or aesthetics, Cohen Dental Care is dedicated to delivering the highest quality services possible. We offer the latest and most current information and services to our patients with a new state-of-the-art facility in Great Neck.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, you are invited to use our online form by clicking here.