Columbia, MD dentist Dr. Sahil Goyal offers a wide range of options for replacing missing teeth. Dentures and dental implants in Columbia are some of the most popular dental restorations for patients missing an arch of teeth. However, when comparing removable dentures to permanent implants, implants often provide the best long-term results. Learn more about these restorative solutions for missing teeth below.
Modern Dental Implants
The Benefits
Dental implants are titanium posts that dentists surgically implant into the jawbone. The titanium implants fuse with the surrounding bone to create a durable, permanent restoration. Implants offer many advantages over removable dentures. Dental implants do not come with dietary restrictions and will help hold a denture firmly in place. This way, they won’t move around in the mouth.
Implants not only support dentures, but also act as a replacement tooth root. This helps stimulate the jawbone and prevent further bone loss. Dental implants look, function, and feel just like natural teeth. With good oral hygiene and biannual dental visits, implant-retained dentures can last forever.
The Disadvantages
Dental implants have a few disadvantages. Only patients with healthy gums and enough bone to support the implant posts qualify for this treatment. You also need to be healthy enough to undergo implant surgery. However, the all-on-four dental implant concept does not require bone grafting, which is a treatment used to ensure patients can receive implants.
Dental implants cost significantly more and take longer to complete. The process can take up to a year, depending on your current oral health. We can help you estimate your treatment cost and determine whether your dental insurance covers part of it.
Patient Review
Traditional Dentures
The Benefits
A denture is a removable prosthesis that replaces an entire arch of missing teeth. Compared with dental implants, dentures cost significantly less. Dentures require at least four visits. We can complete the denture process in three to six weeks, which is faster than implants.
The Disadvantages
On the other hand, removable dentures come with many disadvantages. Dentures can move around in the mouth and fall out. This is especially true if they do not fit properly. Because of this, patients cannot eat certain chewy foods. Patients usually require a messy adhesive to stabilize removable dentures.
Dentures can be difficult to get used to because they can irritate the gums and feel bulky. It may take several months for patients to get used to this restoration. Removable dentures rest on top of the gums, so they do not stimulate the jawbone like dental implants. Over time, as the jawbone slowly deteriorates, your dentures will need realignment or eventual replacement. Bone loss in the jaw can also alter a patient’s facial features, often making them appear older than they really are.
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