Both dentures and dental implants in Fullerton, CA are popular forms of tooth replacement. But how do you know which one is the right choice for you? Dr. Kush Patel of Craft Smiles Dental discusses both options.
All About Dentures
Dentures are made of a metal and resin base, with teeth made from plastic or dental ceramic. They’re typically used to replace a full arch of teeth. Compared to dental implants, they’re a cheaper cost upfront and allow you to get your restoration sooner, as implants require a surgical aspect.
However, you may incur further costs in the future with dentures. When you lose your tooth and tooth root, the jawbone begins to deteriorate. This continues to happen with dentures, which leads to readjustments or replacing the dentures down the line. When dentures don’t fit properly, they can cause irritation to your gums and using them can be difficult.
Dentures only give you back 40% of your bite function. Certain foods will have to be removed from your diet, as dentures aren’t able to handle them. Though modern dentures have improved greatly, they’re still bulky and require a learning curve to get used to. They don’t feel like natural teeth.
Extra maintenance steps are required for removable dentures as well. An adhesive is needed to make sure that dentures stay in place throughout the day. If they aren’t secure, they can slip or even fall out of your mouth while speaking or eating. At night, you’ll have to remove the dentures to make sure they’re cleaned properly.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants are made up of three parts. First, a titanium post is the part that’s actually implanted in your jawbone. An abutment is placed on top of the post to connect it to the final restoration. The final restoration is usually a dental crown. However, dental implants can also support a dental bridge or fixed denture.
The biggest downsides to dental implants are that they’re more expensive upfront and the surgical aspect means you have to wait longer for the final product. When the posts are placed in the jawbone, they require 3-6 months of healing time. This is a crucial component that must be followed to give implants the stability they’re known for.
Implants are the only tooth replacement option that replaces the tooth root. This stimulates jawbone growth, getting rid of the sagging face, and helping to reverse the bone loss. The post fuses with the implant post, giving you the stability you need. With dental implants, you get 100% of your bite function back. You don’t have to worry about them slipping and you can don’t have to make any changes to your diet.
There’s also no extra maintenance for dental implants. They both look and feel like a natural tooth, requiring no learning curve to get used to them. Since they’re in your jawbone, you don’t have to use adhesive either. You can keep your normal oral healthcare routine of brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist regularly.
Getting Dental Implants at Your Fullerton, California Dentist
At Craft Smiles Dental, we recommend dental implants as the best choice to replace your missing teeth. Call us or schedule an appointment online.