Understanding Dentures vs. Implants
Having one or more missing teeth is more than just a cosmetic concern. According to the American Dental Association, not replacing missing teeth can cause sagging facial muscles, inability to speak clearly, difficulty chewing food and getting proper nutrition, and a lack of proper jaw alignment.
You have several options to replace missing teeth, including a dental implant or one of several different types of dentures. At HollowBrook Dental, we provide patients with a custom recommendation after a thorough examination of your teeth and gums.
Understanding the Various Types of Dentures
Dentures are a removable appliance with artificial teeth attached. You will receive full dentures if you’re missing all natural teeth, and partial dentures if you’re missing a single tooth or several consecutive teeth on either the top or bottom jaw.
Partial Dentures
You are likely a candidate for partial dentures if you’re in good overall health but simply need to replace one or more of your natural teeth. A partial denture fits securely between your remaining teeth. Your dentist may recommend an implant-supported denture if it appears that you need extra support to keep your new dentures in place.
Full Dentures
Patients who no longer have any of their natural teeth may need full dentures (removable) or dental implants (permanent) such as All-on-4®. Those with a mouth injury, significant loss of bone, or advanced gum disease typically do better with removable dentures rather than a full set of implants.
You can feel confident in knowing that your complete dentures, whether full dentures or dental implants, will look just as natural as your own teeth.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are one of the dental industry’s most important advances in the past four decades. Implants differ from dentures in two important ways:
- They remain in your mouth permanently and look and function just as your natural teeth do.
- You will receive new tooth roots when you are a dental implant patient. Your dentist installs a small titanium post in your jawbone that fuses with your existing bone in a process called osseointegration. Once that has taken place, your dentist will install the replacement teeth on top of the new roots.
Below is a look at a Before and After photo of a HollowBrook Dental implant patient.
