You’ve probably seen dentures several times in movies where they’re lying in a glass on a bedside table and someone in the movie just pops them in and goes about their day.
Advances in dental technology and surgical techniques have changed a lot over the last couple of decades and while dentures were once the norm, a more practical and natural form of dental implants have become the next step for replacing missing teeth.
Dentures and implants ideally serve the same purpose. They both help you chew better, help support facial muscles, improve speech and self-esteem, but while dentures are removable, dental implants are surgically implanted into bone and can last 20-30 years.
Dentures:
Dentures are prosthetic teeth that are removable and are fitted to your teeth with adhesive bonding. Maintenance for them is the same as having natural teeth with brushing twice a day, but then removing them at night to soak in water or a cleaning solution. The cost for dentures can range, but on average are about $1,600 total and may need to be replaced over time due to the person’s bite changing.
Dental Implants:
If you’re looking for a more natural and permanent solution to missing teeth than dental implants are the way to go. The entire process from start to finish can take a couple of months, but once finished you will have natural implants that don’t have to be removed and can allow you to do everything that you did with your natural teeth. Patients find that implants are more convenient because they love not having to remove them at night and the comfort of them is the better choice over dentures. The investment can range from $1600-$3,500 per tooth.
“Dental Implants are the far better choice now for several reasons, but mostly because once the entire process is completed, the patient has a permanent and natural set of teeth that will last 20-30 years,” Dr. Parker said. “I’ve seen the difference in patients who choose to go from dentures to dental implants and their quality of life is better and they’re much happier.”
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