There are a few vital arguments for using dentures over implants. If you need dental work done and are in two minds between these options, read this.
Benefits Of Dentures Over Implants: 5 Key Reasons:-
In case you need extensive dental work, you’ll likely benefit the most from dentures or implants. The latter tend to be the more “elegant” solution since they feel more like your natural teeth. But that doesn’t mean you should never consider dentures over implants as the ideal solution.
In fact, opting for dentures can prove the better alternative for quite a few reasons. But let’s get definitions out of the way first, just so we’re all on the same page.
What Are Dentures?
Dentures are basically a removable set of replacement teeth. They can be partial if you’re missing a few teeth and complete if you need a complete oral overhaul.
Depending on what kind you pick, dentures attach to your gums in a number of ways.
Full Dentures
Full or complete dentures, as we already pointed out, serve to replace a full set of teeth. They wrap around your gums, forming a snug fit to stay in place. However, they are not the most affordable option out there with the cost that goes up to $15,000 (yes, fifteen thousand dollars) for premium models.
Economic Dentures
Economic dentures are typically the most affordable options. Most of them stick to your gums via an adhesive. Due to the relatively low cost, they are very popular, and the maintenance isn’t too difficult.
Dental Bridge
Dental bridges cling to your natural teeth (called abutment teeth). This kind of denture can be set up in a number of ways, some including implants or tooth-supported overdentures. If you have a few teeth in a row missing, dental bridges might be a good option for you.
Partial Dentures
Partially implanted dentures are, as the name implies, a blend between dentures and implants. Snap-in dentures are a popular example of partial implants (often referred to as overdentures), which grip onto your gums via special locators drilled into the maxilla and/or mandible.
What Are Implants?
Implants are sets of artificial teeth surgically placed in your mouth. They’re permanently fixed, meaning you can’t remove them without your dentist. In that way, they function pretty much like your real teeth. The process of getting these implants takes a while because your jaw needs to heal from the procedure, but they provide the most natural feeling.
Why You Might Prefer Dentures?
Seeing that implants look and feel so similar to natural teeth, many assume they’re by far the best alternative. However, dentures offer a few perks that may make you reconsider that notion.
So what are these benefits of dentures over implants? Let’s go over them one by one.
They Cost Less
In some instances, a single tooth implant can cost you $4,500. For those who want to revamp their entire set of teeth, the cost will be alarmingly close to a six-digit number.
On the other hand, the average set of dentures costs somewhere around $1,800. Mind you — this is the price for full dentures, not just a replacement for a single tooth.
Non-Invasive Insertion
Nine times out of ten, getting dentures requires no surgery (except types like implant-supported overdentures). Many kinds of dentures wrap around the gums or rely on surrounding teeth to remain fixed. That’s great news for people who feel hesitant about invasive procedures. Getting implants usually doesn’t hurt, but it can, and during the time it takes your gums to heal, you would have to be very careful while brushing your teeth.
Modifying Dentures Is Easy
In the event you need to replace your dentures or add more to compensate for additional missing teeth, you can easily modify your existing dentures. Since they can be easily removed, they aren’t an issue when alterations are needed. This is not the case with implants.
They’re Safer For Your Health
When getting teeth implants, there’s a chance you can develop an infection, posing a serious risk to your health.
Dentures, on the other hand, don’t require surgery to install, so there’s no danger of infection. The most you’ll have to suffer with dentures is them being ill-fitting or causing sores. Which, of course, you can fix by getting a new set of dentures. Something that is not as easy as fixing a bad implant.
You Don’t Need Great Bone Density To Wear Them
For the elderly, the decision to choose dentures over implants may boil down to their bones being too brittle to handle implants. However, dentures don’t necessitate great bone density to wear, making them more accessible to those with such health issues.
A Few Drawbacks To Dentures:-
While dentures may prove the preferable option for many reasons, they aren’t the perfect solution for everyone. We would be remiss not to mention a few downsides to dentures as well.
One common problem with dentures, as we’ve already hinted at, is that they don’t always fit the wearer perfectly. Not all dentures are custom-made, so they might cause discomfort or even sores. In other cases, they might feel loose or slip out when eating.
Another point to take note of is the maintenance of dentures. For one, you’ll need to take them out at night while you sleep, placing them in a glass of water or cleaning solution. Beyond that, you should regularly clean them and have them repaired or tweaked if they no longer fit you.
For reasons such as these, implants may sound like the more appealing option. That said, the above-listed benefits of dentures over implants make for a compelling argument, too. It’s ultimately your choice, though, and it’s best to seek advice from your dentist before committing to either of the two choices.