Dental Implants vs. Partial Dentures
Missing teeth can impact everything from your diet to your self-confidence. Two of the most popular tooth replacement options today include dental implants and partial dentures. But which one is best?
Here are a few things you’ll need to consider:
Advantages of Dental Implants
Today’s dental implants are the gold standard when it comes to restoring your missing teeth. Each implant is crafted from a biocompatible, hypoallergenic material that is known for strengthening the bone around it. Plus, it’s the only type of tooth replacement that’s shaped just like a natural tooth.
With dental implants you have the option of placing a pair of them into a wider space to suspend a multi-tooth dental bridge. Instead of a removable partial that you take out each night, implants become a permanent part of your smile. There’s nothing to take out at bedtime.
And since dental implants are stronger than natural teeth, they allow you to continue eating all of your favorite foods and textures. Anything from a steak to chewing a piece of gum is possible with an implant.
To most people’s surprise, getting dental implants can be an extremely comfortable process. It’s typically easier than having a tooth extracted or getting a few fillings.
Best yet, implants are non-invasive to your surrounding smile. They don’t rely on adjacent teeth to keep them in place (like partials do) and there’s no need to reshape the neighboring healthy teeth. They’re truly the least invasive way to replace your missing teeth.
Benefits of Partial Dentures
Dentures and partial dentures are known for providing a fast and affordable way to replace all of your missing teeth at one time. They can be designed and delivered within a couple of weeks. In some cases, same day dentures can be fitted on the date of an extraction, assuming plenty of planning has gone into the process.
Unfortunately, dentures only last so long. Although they seem like the cheapest way to replace missing teeth, they can actually wind up costing you more money in the grand scheme of things. An average partial or full denture will need to be updated about once a decade. Once you’ve changed it out a couple of times, you could have already paid for dental implants!
Some people prefer to get a partial denture as an interim solution while they’re waiting to plan their dental implant therapy. If you’re one of them, you may want to ask about our implant financing plans.
You can get dentures and variations (such as temporary flippers) at practically any age, but dental implant candidates need to be at least 18 years old.
Comfortable Option to Replace Missing Teeth
When you opt for dental implants, your end results will look and feel closer to natural teeth than any other type of tooth replacement. That means your day-to-day activities are practically the same as always.
Unfortunately, removable prosthetics can lessen your biting force, interfere with tasting your food, and even impact your speech. When you’re hoping for minimal impact on your lifestyle, dental implants are the best choice to make.
Which is Easier to Care For?
Full and partial dentures are removed each night. It’s important to soak them in a cleansing solution to loosen any debris or food that accumulated during the day. The next morning you should brush the prosthesis thoroughly and clean your gums before putting it back into your mouth.
Everyday dental implant maintenance is similar to having natural teeth. Simply brush and floss daily, taking note to clean along the gumlines. Sometimes you’ll want to use a water flosser or floss threader to reach underneath the implant restoration.
In either situation, it’s important to continue seeing our Newport Beach dentist at least twice a year. Implant patients will experience routine dental cleanings in addition to their regularly schedule exam.
Do I Qualify for Dental Implants?
If you’re thinking about getting implants, we’ll want to thoroughly examine your mouth to make sure your gums and bone are healthy enough to support them. Having appropriate bone density and height for your implants is crucial. Plus, we’ll review your health history and medication use to rule out any risk factors.
Once we capture an X-ray or scan of your full mouth, we can determine whether or not dental implants are right for you. And if they aren’t, we’ll be able to provide an alternative.
Yes. Financing is Available!
The Center For Restorative & Cosmetic Dentistry offers dental implant financing at our Newport Beach office. We can also work with your insurance carrier (if applicable) to help you access any benefits that you’re entitled to. That way you can enjoy a permanent smile solution that fits into your monthly budget. No waiting required!
For more information on missing teeth treatments like dental implants, call our office today!
About Dr. Yazdan
