If you’re looking to replace missing teeth, you have multiple treatment options to choose from. Two of the most popular choices are dentures and dental implants. Though both can successfully restore your smile, they offer vastly different benefits and drawbacks.
Here, we’ll explore the features of both dentures and implants to help you choose the best restoration for your needs.
Dentures
Dentures are removable oral restorations that replace missing teeth. Partial dentures can be used if you still have some natural teeth, while complete dentures replace your entire smile.
Choosing dentures to replace missing teeth may work for you if:
- You want a lower-cost alternative to dental implants.
- You don’t want to undergo the surgical procedure required to place implants.
- You don’t have sufficient bone material for traditional implants (and don’t want to undergo alternatives, like zygoma implants).
However, dentures have a few downsides to consider, including:
- The denture may shift and move while you speak and eat.
- You may develop mouth irritation and sores as you adjust to the dentures.
- You’ll need to remove, clean, and soak the denture at night.
- Dentures don’t stimulate bone tissue growth, which can lead to gradual jawbone loss.
Implants
Dental implants are titanium posts secured directly into the jawbone, covered by a porcelain crown. This restoration restores the natural look and feel of a tooth while stimulating jawbone growth.
Without shifting, movement, or the need to remove them at night, implants are considered a superior long-term solution for missing teeth when compared to dentures. However, they do require a surgical procedure for placement and may cost more upfront (although affordable dental implant options are available to our Florida patients).
Hybrid Implant Dentures
If you’re interested in the benefits of both dentures and implants, you can strike a balance with hybrid implant dentures in Largo. This restoration consists of a denture anchored directly on top of dental implants. While the dentures are permanently fixed in place, your dentist can remove them for your regular cleanings.
If your teeth are healthy enough, you can get a new implant denture installed on the same day as your tooth extraction at our clinic. This saves time while our advanced CT cone beam technology dramatically reduces recovery time.
Contact us today to book your appointment!
