For many people, having a missing tooth that can affect their smile can be embarrassing. But missing an adult tooth from either decay or getting it knocked out can actually cause harm to your other teeth and even the jawbone. If a tooth is not rooted in the bone in the gums, the bone could start deteriorating, causing the teeth surrounding the missing tooth to shift into the open space. To keep your teeth where they are supposed to be, getting a dental implant could be a solution. Dentures are another way to keep a functional mouth when you lose your teeth. Knowing the difference between implants and dentures and what situations they are best suited for is important so you can make an informed decision if you need a tooth replacement. 

Dental Implants

If you have lost a tooth, a dental implant can replace it, giving you full functionality as if it were your natural tooth. A dental implant is, essentially, a titanium screw that is inserted into the gums and supported by the jawbone, and a crown is attached to the screw that is now serving as the root of your implant.

Pros

• Dental implants can look just like your natural teeth. Many of the crowns are made out of porcelain, which has a very similar quality and feel to a normal tooth.
• Dental implants last for about 25 years and require no special care other than brushing and flossing like usual.
• Dental implants can prevent your jawbone from dissolving under the space where your tooth used to be.
• Dental implants are best at replacing one or two teeth.

Cons

• Dental implants are expensive and can even be up to $5000 a piece.
• Having a dental implant put in is an invasive surgery. You will have to heal from having the titanium screw inserted before having the rest of the implant attached. Healing can take several months.
• Although there is a high success rate, if your jawbone rejects the implant, you may need to have a bone graft, which could result in more healing time.

Dentures

If you have lost many teeth due to decay or simply from old age, dentures are also a good option. Dentures are artificial teeth that can be removed from your mouth. They can either be full dentures, meaning they replace all your teeth, or partial dentures.

Pros

• Dentures are very affordable, and many full dental plans will pay 50% of the cost. Usually costing between $600 and $4000 for a complete set
• Dentures allow you to chew and speak normally.
• Dentures are best at replacing several teeth or even all of your teeth.

Cons

• Cleaning dentures is important because they can develop plaque.
• You will have to take them out at night.
• Getting your dentures fitted properly is important because they can cause blisters in your gums if the fit is not right.

If you want the best of both worlds, there is a type of denture called a fixed denture that uses titanium screws inserted into the gums at various points, and then the full denture is attached to the screws. If you need full or partial dentures but do want them to be removable, this could be a great option for you.

If you are in Coralville, IA and want to further discuss dental implants and dentures with a dentist, give the friendly staff at Coral West Dental a call today.