Why Dental Implants Are Superior to Dentures

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When it comes to comfort, aesthetic appeal, function and convenience, dental implants are often the more effective and beneficial tooth restoration treatment compared to dentures.

Dental implants are a great way to replace a single tooth or all the teeth on your upper or lower jaw. An implant is a metal post that our dentist surgically places in your jaw. An artificial crown is then affixed to the dental implant to create a natural-looking tooth replacement. If you're missing more than one tooth, you have the option to replace all the teeth on your upper or lower jaw with an All-on-4®, in which 4 dental implants hold the entire arch of tooth replacements.  

Dental Implants vs. Dentures

Dental implants cost less over a lifetime

Initial cost is the only real benefit dentures have over dental implants in that it is less expensive to have a set of dentures made than it is to replace all your teeth with dental implants. In the long run, though, dental implants may be more cost-effective because they last a lifetime. You’ll need to replace your dentures about every 7 to 10 years, which makes dentures less cost-effective than dental implants.  

Dental implants allow you to bite and chew with confidence

When you lose teeth, you also lose bite force, which is the amount of force your teeth and jaws exert when you bite and chew.  

With dentures, your bite force is 20 to 25% that of your natural teeth. This means you have to either chew your food longer or switch to softer foods. Dental implants allow you to bite and chew with the same force as natural teeth, so you can get back to enjoying your favorite foods without all that extra chewing.

No more worries about your teeth slipping, sliding, or falling out

We have all seen those videos in which someone’s dentures fall out at the most embarrassing moment possible.  Dental implants literally fuse with your jawbone to create a sturdy anchor. This fusing process, known as osseointegration, prevents your dental implants from moving or falling out.  

You don’t have to take your teeth out at night

Taking care of dentures can be a hassle: you have to brush your dentures and the rest of your mouth at least once a day, and use special products so you don’t damage your dentures. What’s more, you have to soak your dentures overnight, which can be embarrassing when spending the night with someone else.  

Dental implants always feel great

Your mouth changes over time, and these changes can affect how your dentures fit. Sometimes the changes can result in painful sores on your gums, known as hotspots, or make your dentures uncomfortable in general. Dental implants are not affected by the same factors that change how your dentures fit.

Dental implants maintain the strength of your jawbone and the shape of your face

The roots of your teeth stimulate the growth of bone tissue, which keeps your jawbone strong. Without this stimulation from your tooth roots, your jawbone deteriorates – and this could change the shape of your face. When you lose teeth and wear dentures, you lose this stimulation. Dental implants fool your jawbone into making new bone tissue, so your jaw remains strong, and your face retains its shape.  

If you're interested in permanently restoring your smile with dental implants, Dr. Scott at Bonita Beach Dental would love to meet you for a complimentary consultation.

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