Do you have missing teeth? Are you considering your options for replacing those teeth? Missing teeth can have a big impact on your oral health and your confidence. Depending on where your missing teeth are located, you may be reluctant to smile and expose the gap in your teeth. Your missing teeth can also affect your remaining teeth, as they may be under more pressure when you chew food. For those reasons, it's important that you address your missing teeth sooner rather than later. Fortunately, you have a few good options available. Two of the most popular are dentures and dental implants. Here are the differences between the two.
Dentures
Dentures are a common form of tooth replacement. They consist of artificial teeth attached to a pink, gummy base. The base is placed over your gums in the location of your missing teeth. There are a few reasons why dentures are popular. First, they're often the most affordable option, and they're usually covered by insurance. Also, the process for getting dentures may be less painful than other options. Finally, if you have multiple missing teeth, dentures may be the simplest solution. The teeth can all be attached to one base, allowing them to be installed in one quick setting.
There are a few things to consider with dentures. One is that they're applied over your gums, not into your gums or bone. That means they may not fit perfectly. In fact, you may notice them shifting around in your mouth. That could make it difficult for you to speak and cause some discomfort. Also, over time, your gums may change in shape. That could require adjustments or even replacements to your dentures.
Finally, you may have dietary restrictions with your dentures. Chewy foods could cause denture damage or even cause them to come out.
Dental implants
Dental implants are another option that involve installing new teeth directly into your gums and bone. A base is installed in the bone in one session, and then a tooth is installed into the base in a second dental visit. As you might imagine, the process of installing a base into your jaw bone is a bit more complex than applying a denture base over your gums. You may experience discomfort and pain in the days after your sessions. Also, if you have multiple missing teeth, you may requires several visits to get a full replacement.
Despite the cost and discomfort, though, there are serious benefits to getting implants. First, they may look the most natural of any replacement option. Many people may not even know they're artificial. Also, you won't feel any movement in the teeth because they're anchored into your jaw. That means you can talk and eat with comfort and confidence. Finally, there's no need to adjust or replace implants like you do with dentures. They're maintained just as you would care for your other teeth.
For more information, contact Elma Family Dental or a similar location.
Share6 January 2016
If you are someone who hesitates to open your mouth when you smile because you are embarrassed about your teeth, you should know that there are a number of cosmetic techniques that can give you a beautiful smile you will be proud to show to the world. As a cosmetic dentist, I have seen many clients transform their lives simply by fixing their smiles. This blog is meant to encourage people to find out about the possibilities in cosmetic dentistry so they can feel good about their smiles. A beautiful, confident smile really can change your life. I would love to show you how.
