How to Choose Dentures vs. Dental Implants

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Why Would I Want One Dental Implants?

A dental implant is an artificial tooth root that Dr. Hanookai, top Los Angeles implant dentist, places into your jaw to hold a replacement tooth or bridge. Dental implants are an ideal option for people in good general oral health who have lost a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, an injury, or some other reason. While high-tech in nature, dental implants are actually more tooth-saving than traditional bridgework, since implants do not rely on neighboring teeth for support. If you are looking for the best dental implants specialist in Los Angeles, CA, call us today and ask how we can transform your smile!

Regain Your Confidence with Implants

If you’ve lost teeth for any reason, it’s important to replace them, so you’ll need to know the difference between dentures vs implants. Your teeth serve several functions. They’re not just meant to provide an aesthetically pleasing smile, although that is a major reason for keeping your teeth as healthy as possible. Through the chewing process, medically termed mastication, your teeth prepare your food for easier digestion when it reaches your stomach. Your teeth also play a major role in maintaining the proper alignment of your facial structure and your other teeth. If you lack a significant number of teeth, your jawbone will become misaligned, and your face will appear to melt because it lacks bone structure. Your other teeth will become misaligned and may fall out, which will contribute to the distorted appearance of your facial structure.

No matter which type of replacement you decide on, it’s essential to replace missing teeth as soon as possible. If you have lost teeth due to decay or disease, then a visit to your local dentist can help you improve your oral hygiene so that you don’t lose more teeth, but you also need to replace your lost teeth. Several options are available for you, and you may be unsure which is better for your unique needs, dental implants vs dentures.

Between dental implants or dentures, which is better? The answer to that question depends on several factors, so read on for options and answers to your questions.

Dental Implants vs Dentures

Cost is always a consideration, at least for most people. However, when considering cost, you need to account for both the initial investment and the overall cost of the dental appliance. Another consideration in determining the advantages of implants over dentures is their long-term effect on your overall health. Your natural teeth are in your mouth 24/7, but dentures aren’t, so if you need to improve the structural alignment of your remaining teeth, then implants instead of dentures may be the better option for you. Consider the following:

Dental Implants vs Dentures
With proper care and maintenance, implants can last for a lifetime Less expensive initially but may not be when factoring repair and maintenance costs
Implants look, feel, and function like your natural teeth Don’t always look like natural teeth
You always have a mouth full of teeth Can slip or move or fall out
No restriction on foods you can eat Usually require creams and denture adhesives to keep them in place
Nothing covering the roof of your mouth Cover the roof of the mouth, which may interfere with taste
No special maintenance is required other than good oral hygiene Require special maintenance procedures and products
Help maintain the structural integrity of the jaw Limit choice of foods due to chewing or biting restrictions
Help maintain the alignment of the other teet Need periodic replacement or relining
Permanently installed so there’s no slipping or falling out May not be sufficient solution to maintaining structural alignment
Securely installed so there’s no pain and no issues with proper fit Bone graft won’t be needed
May need jaw bone graft if there’s not enough bone in your jaw Don’t protect against deteriorating jawbone or facial distortion
Don’t require periodic replacement Can be lost or broken
Help restore natural chewing ability Must be removed regularly which means you’re toothless for a while

What Is The Dentures vs Implants Cost?

Although it initially may seem that a removable dental prosthesis is less expensive than full mouth dental implants, there are factors to consider in addition to the initial outlay of cash, such as:

  • Dentures have a relatively limited lifespan and usually need to be replaced within a few years.
  • Dentures require expensive creams, adhesives, and soaking solutions whereas implants require only a toothbrush, floss, and toothpaste.
  • Dentures may need to be replaced if your bite changes. Implants won’t.
  • Dentures can be lost or broken so you’ll have to replace them. Implants can’t be either lost or broken.

Many patients who have opted for dental implants instead of dentures state that it was the best decision they could have made. Prices vary throughout the nation, so ask your dentist about their costs for dental implants and dentures.

Why Consider Dental Implants?

Dental implants have several advantages over other types of artificial teeth. For those who live an active lifestyle and always want to have a mouth full of attractive teeth, the advantages of implants over dentures are very apparent. You can feel confident that your teeth won’t slip or fall out, and your teeth will be in your mouth rather than in a container on the dresser. Full mouth dental implants may be cost-prohibitive, but some alternatives can enable you to have the convenience of implants rather than the inconvenience of dentures.

If you want to have one dental procedure and get it over with, then implants instead of dentures may be your best choice. The implant procedure will require several office visits and probably last for several months, depending on the number of other procedures you need, like a bone graft. Once you have completed your entire procedure, your implants shouldn’t require additional procedures. The only maintenance they require is a regimen of good oral hygiene that includes at least annual dental visits, preferably twice-annual visits to your dentist. You should continue to brush and floss just as you would your natural teeth and follow the American Dental Association guidelines for good oral hygiene. In addition, dental implants:

Are A Permanent Solution For Missing Tooth Or Teeth

Once your dental implants are installed, they often last for decades or a lifetime without additional procedures. Implants are essential for maintaining the structural integrity of your jawbone and your other teeth if you’re missing teeth. Without a complete set of teeth, your remaining teeth will gradually lean toward the gap in the teeth. This will also affect your facial alignment and allow your jawbone to deteriorate.

Prevent Jawbone Loss

Your tooth roots stimulate the blood flow to the alveolar bone in the area. Eventually, the jawbone in the area begins to deteriorate due to a lack of blood flow. This causes your jaw alignment to warp, and your facial structure will begin to deteriorate.

What’s The Procedural Difference Between Implants And Dentures?

Both dental implants and dentures will require multiple office visits, although there are exceptions. When you come to our office for dentures or implants, we’ll first examine your teeth and gums to determine which will best fit your unique needs. If your jawbone is strong enough to accommodate dental implants, then we’ll let you know. If you need a bone graft or other procedure to accommodate dental implants, we’ll let you know that also.

Otherwise, we’ll probably recommend dentures and explain the advantages of dentures over implants for your situation. Although many people prefer implants, some prefer the advantages of dentures over implants, which include:

  • Less time overall to complete the procedure
  • Lower cost initially
  • Easier on the gums if you’ve just lost teeth or had extractions
  • Less invasive since no surgery is required
  • Easily modified if additional teeth are lost in the future

The choice of dentures vs implants is very personal, and there’s no right or wrong answer. When considering your options for dentures vs implants, be sure to consider all the factors, not just the initial cost and the length of time it takes to get dental implants. If you’re averse to the feeling of a foreign object in your mouth and dislike having your food options restricted, then dental implants vs false teeth may be your better option. Your dentist will discuss all these factors with you before deciding which is better, dentures vs implants.

After you and your dentist have decided on the dental prosthesis you want, we’ll extract any remaining teeth if you opt for full mouth dentures. Then, we’ll take an impression of your lower or upper gums, or both if you’re getting dentures for both. We’ll make a prototype denture and send it to your dentist, who will fit it to your mouth and make any necessary adjustments. We’ll then make your permanent dentures and fit them so that they’re comfortable. The procedure for dentures is usually less than six weeks, depending primarily on the speed with which the lab makes them.

When you come to our office for dental implants, we’ll extract a damaged root if necessary and then drill a hole into the jawbone at each site that needs a tooth. We’ll implant a metal post into the jawbone and then wait for it to heal, which can take a few weeks to a few months. Through a process known as osseointegration, your bone will heal around the metal post, and it will become permanently fused to your jawbone. You’ll return to our office, and we’ll install an abutment around the base of the post and take an impression for the crown. When we receive the permanent crown from the lab, we’ll permanently affix it to the post. If you’re having multiple dental implants installed, they can all be done at the same time. You don’t need a separate procedure for each post.

What’s The Difference In Maintenance Requirements For Implants vs Dentures?

Although the answer to the question “Is it better to get dentures or implants?” depends strictly on personal preference, maintenance requirements may affect your decision.

Depending on the type of dentures you receive, you’ll probably need to remove them at least daily for cleaning and soaking. The cleaning procedure includes using a brush and mild soap, and they may need to be soaked periodically in a special solution. Also, dentures may need to be reglued after a meal or snack.

Maintenance for dental implants is the same as it is for your natural teeth. Brush and floss at least twice daily and use an antibacterial mouthwash at least once each day. The American Dental Association has published guidelines for their recommended oral hygiene regimen.

Which Has More Complications, Dentures Or Implants?

When the implant procedure has been completed, there are usually no complications. Any issues that may present have already done so and been addressed. Dentures, however, may need to be adjusted for fit and comfort, they can crack or break or be lost, and the denture wearer may decide that dentures aren’t the best option for them. Also, some denture wearers decide they don’t like the appearance of their dentures.

Who Is A Good Candidate For Dental Implants As Opposed To Dentures?

A good candidate for dental implants needs to be in overall good health and have sufficient jawbone to support the dental implants. Your dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums to determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants.

Do Dental Implants Last Longer Than Dentures?

Barring trauma to the face or jaw, dental implants are designed to last for a lifetime. They’re permanent installations, so they’re not intended to be replaced periodically. If you’re in an accident and a dental implant is damaged, then it may need to be replaced. However, you probably won’t need to undergo the entire procedure as you did initially. Your dentist should be able to order an individual dental prosthesis to replace the damaged one, and when it comes, it will be permanently affixed to the post.

Dentures, however, typically need to be replaced every few years, or at the least, they’ll need to be relined. The shape of the mouth changes as we age, so if you find that your dentures are less comfortable than they used to be, then you may need to have them replaced or relined. Although these procedures aren’t as expensive as the initial installation, there will be a cost associated with either procedure.

Why Are Implants Better Than Dentures?

In the comparison between dental implants vs false teeth, implants usually win easily. Although they’re a more invasive procedure initially, once they’re installed, they require nothing except good oral hygiene. Some patients feel that in the comparison between dental implants vs real teeth, that the dental implants win because they’re not subject to genetic issues such as weak enamel.

Implants aren’t subject to cavities, although you still need to exercise good oral hygiene and keep your implants clean and your gums in good condition. You can develop gum disease even if you have dental implants, so be sure to follow the American Dental Association guidelines for good oral hygiene. They also don’t stain and discolor like your natural teeth unless you damage the finish. Despite these factors, however, the answer to the question, “Is it better to get dentures or implants?” is a solely personal preference.

Are There Alternatives To Dental Implants And Dentures?

There are alternatives to dentures or implants such as permanent dentures and bridges. A bridge is technically a denture and is a false tooth that’s attached to a natural tooth on either side. If you’re missing one or two teeth, this might be a good option for you. These false teeth are similar in color, shape, and size to your natural teeth. The permanent dentures vs implants drawback is that permanent dentures require a few implants. Overdentures are another answer to the question of dental implants vs false teeth. An overdenture is supported by implants, so it’s stable and secure.

Permanent Dentures vs Implants

Permanent dentures can be removed by the patient or permanently affixed, depending on the needs of the patient. They’re affixed to implants and are an affordable solution for those who need implants but have cost constraints or whose jawbone can’t accommodate full implants. Ask your dentist about a recommendation for permanent dentures vs implants for your unique needs.

What’s The Dentures vs Implants Cost?

Dental implants are more expensive initially, and the procedure takes longer. However, when you factor in the long-term cost of dentures, you may find the cost difference between dentures and implants is less than you thought, and implants may be more cost-effective over time. They require only good oral hygiene, and they don’t need to be replaced. Dentures, however, will probably need to be replaced or relined every few years or if your bite changes. You also have to buy creams, adhesives, and soaking solutions, so over time, your dentures vs implants cost may prove that the dentures are more expensive.

Are Dental Implants Worth It?

The answer to the question “are dental implants worth it” will depend entirely on your unique needs and preferences. Implants are a hands-off solution to missing teeth, and they’re very convenient. They need no special care, just good oral hygiene, and they may last for a lifetime. However, they do require surgery, which is invasive, and they are expensive. So your dental implants vs dentures decision will probably be implants.

Are Dentures Worth It?

If you’re wondering, “are dentures worth it” that’s strictly subjective. Many patients are reluctant to undergo the surgery that’s needed for dental implants, so for them, the answer is an emphatic yes. If you want a more hands-off solution to the dilemma of dentures vs implants, then the answer is probably no.

Need To Replace Missing Teeth?

If you need to replace missing teeth and you’re contemplating which is better, dental implants or dentures, then a consultation with one of our dentists can help you decide. All on 4 dental implants Los Angeles might work for you, as can full arch dental implants in Los Angeles. Your dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth and gums and discuss your objectives before making a recommendation. The all on 4 dental implants Los Angeles may be more cost-effective for your while still providing the advantages of full mouth dental implants.

How Do I Choose A Dentist For Dentures vs Dental Implants?

If you live in the Los Angeles area and are looking for a dentist who does dentures or implants, then contact Los Angeles dental implants specialist Dr. Hanookai DDS. at 818-788-8787, or you can schedule your appointment online at your convenience. We’re open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and on Saturday by appointment. In our 100% complimentary dental implant consultation you will be evaluated if you are a good candidate for full arch dental implants or dentures.

If you have budgetary constraints, we have solutions for you, and we can help you decide which is better, dental implants or dentures. We accept all major credit cards and partner with several financial programs, including CareCredit. Don’t forego the dental services you need because of finances. Good oral health is essential for good physical health, so contact us today.

DENTAL IMPLANTS TESTIMONIALS

I’ve been through a lot of periodontists, had a lot of gum problems and gum surgeries, and when I finally found Dr. H & Dr. A, I found the solution to my problem. I don’t have that many of my teeth left, but that’s okay because I also don’t have the pain of my teeth. I feel bad for anybody who has to wear a full denture. I put up with it for about 3 or 4 months and my wife just said this is ridiculous, go get it done. I came in, and I could taste steak again. That’s really important. It’s important to be able to enjoy eating and that’s the most important thing that Southland Dental gave back to me.

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