Dentures or Implants?

Which tooth replacement option is best for me?

Most of us will lose some teeth as we get older. Sometimes this is simply a natural part of getting older but it can also happen earlier on in life whether through illness, dental neglect or an accident which results in the loss of some teeth. This is particularly bad news, especially if the teeth that have been lost are the visible front ones.

Even the rear teeth though can be a significant loss as, although not visible, they do a large amount of the work chewing our food. When we lose these teeth then, we can sometimes find ourselves in a dilemma!

Most people presume that having dentures is the only option available to replace the lost teeth and certainly for many years, this was the main and sometimes only choice for people living local to our dental practice in Sutton Coldfield. Now though, there is another option available using dental implants, a procedure which is rapidly gaining in popularity in the UK and has been popular in the US for several years..

Dentures or Implants?

Whilst dentures have been around in some form since the 1700s, dental implants are a relatively new discovery which have really only been used commercially in the last twenty years or so. The procedure itself can sound a little scary but the reality is nothing to be afraid of at all.

Dentures have certainly played a role in tooth replacement and a lot of people who already have them probably wouldn’t swap. Often this is simply out of habit and perhaps if they were really honest, particularly when their dentures become loose or feel uncomfortable, a different conclusion might be reached! The main problem with dentures occurs as time goes by in that our jaw bones shrink causing the dentures to become loose in our mouths, often leading to soreness of the gums. One of the reasons for the bone loss is the lack of a tooth root in the bone. Dental implants actually replicate the tooth root ensuring that the bone density remains.

The dental implants themselves are made from titanium and are placed in the jaw (not as painful as it may sound as the bone is not overly sensitive). Naturally an anaesthetic is used to numb the area beforehand and once the implants have been placed they are left for a few months for the bone to grow around them, anchoring them in place. When this has happened, an abutment and crown will be added to the implant leaving an extremely strong and realistic tooth which is as strong or stronger than regular teeth.

Dental implants are also useful to replace rear teeth as a great deal of pressure can be put on them during the action of chewing. Most people find them far more comfortable than dentures, in fact just like a natural tooth.

If then, if you are looking for long term trouble free replacements for your lost teeth, dental implants are certainly the better option. If you would like more information or would like to arrange a consultation, please contact our dental practice in Sutton Coldfield.