If you’re missing one or more teeth, you may be surprised to learn that several options exist for you. Yes, you can replace missing teeth to feel better and have a more natural smile (not to mention boost your oral health), but it’s important to understand the difference between the two most popular options: implants and dentures.
Here at Downtown Dental Studio, we like to ensure our patients have all the facts before choosing the best option for their needs. Our providers—Fadi Beydoun, DMD, MS, Alexander Kimon, DMD, and Karina Zaygermakher, DMD—provide individualized care that considers both wellness and aesthetics. Visit us today to learn more.
While other options exist, these are the two most popular options for filling a gap in your natural teeth. If you lost one or more teeth due to an accident, decay caused by a lapse in oral health care, or for another reason, it’s time to start thinking about one of these choices.
You might ask, “Why do I need to fill a hole where a tooth should be?” Well, a missing tooth or teeth can cause serious problems for your mental well-being. Lower self-esteem has been linked to tooth loss because some people feel less attractive or successful when missing a tooth. It can also make it harder to eat and speak.
In addition, leaving a hole where a tooth should be can be an issue for oral health. You might lose density in your jawbone, where your tooth or teeth once was can get infected by outside material, and tooth loss can even relate to other health issues, like heart disease.
Filling the gap is incredibly effective at protecting all aspects of your health. But you’re probably still wondering, “Which is better: dentures or implants?”
Dentures and implants are both options that can manage the situation of missing teeth suitably. They are both highly effective, long-lasting, and suitable for many patients. The important thing is to choose the option that best suits you.
For example, implants are often considerably more expensive than dentures, which can be a factor for some patients. The former treatment, however, is permanent, whereas dentures are removable. And yes, you can have a set of dentures made for only your missing teeth. These are called partial dentures.
Implants are very durable and natural. They feel very much like your own teeth. However, they require enough strong bone density in your jaw to allow the implant to be permanently placed there. If you suffered from oral health issues that caused jawbone erosion, dentures may be a better fit for you.
If you’re looking for an option that will require little maintenance, implants often provide this. Like your regular teeth, implants are easily cared for through daily brushing and flossing routines. Dentures require a bit more maintenance, but it’s not so much that it would be a dealbreaker for most, especially with the added benefit of their cost-effectiveness.
Finally, dentures can sometimes feel uncomfortable, but if they don’t fit correctly, your provider can easily fix this. Implants pose more of a chance of complications — such as infections, crown cracking, etc. — but those who care for their implants properly barely ever experience such problems.
Determining which option will be best for your situation without a personal consultation can be tough. Both are highly effective treatments, but because every patient is different, one might be a better choice. The best way to know for sure is to speak to an oral health provider.
Would you like to discuss your options for missing tooth treatment? We’ll happily meet with you at our New York City, NY, office in the Financial District or online. Call us today at 212-964-3337 or book an appointment on our website.
