Exploring your smile restoration options in San Antonio, TX? That means you’re reading a lot about dental implants and dentures these days.
Both are effective ways to restore both the look and smile of a patient, but since they are so different, it can be difficult to know which one will offer you the best results.
This short comparison can help you find out!
Dental implants are artificial teeth designed to mimic both the look and structure of the natural tooth. Unlike other tooth replacements like bridges, implants will also replace the tooth root through the metal post, which is inserted into the jaw bone.
There are many compelling benefits to getting dental implants:
However, implants are not for everyone. Patients need to meet several criteria before they are cleared for the surgery. If you have healthy bone and gums, no titanium allergy, and no underlying condition that could affect implant healing, then you most likely can receive these artificial teeth.
Dentures are one of the oldest ways to restore a person’s smile! It’s a set of artificial teeth that can replace either the full or partial arch.
These prosthetics are recommended for patients with severe tooth loss and dental damage. Unlike implants, dentures don’t have such a strict list of requirements, which means most people can get them.
Their benefits include:
Both dental implants have a lot of benefits, but they are also limited. First, dental implants are costly, so patients with severe damage or missing teeth would need to make quite an investment to get individual implants.
On the other hand, dentures require an adjustment. Many patients need some time to get used to eating or even speaking with them.
Here’s where implant-supported dentures come in: they can marry all the benefits of implants and dentures into one single procedure. Patients will receive four or more implants placed strategically in the bone, and a custom set of dentures will be attached on top.
Implant-supported dentures are can be fixed or removable, are comfortable, and can also last for years.
To answer this question, you should see Dr. Jamie Knox or Dr. Lisa Ding for a consultation. They will take a look at your teeth, overall oral health, and even medical history to determine the best way to restore your smile.
Ready to get started? Then schedule a visit to Smiles of Bulverde online!
For more information, don’t hesitate to call our team at (210) 907-8666 for a chat.
Yes, Many of our San Antonio patients start with traditional dentures and later decide to upgrade to implant supported dentures for better stability. If you have been wearing dentures for a long time, we may simply need to check your bone density to see if a bone graft is required to support the new implants.
At Smiles of Bulverde, we ensure our patients are completely comfortable. The surgical placement of an implant is typically performed under local anesthesia, and most patients report that the recovery is similar to or easier than a tooth extraction. Dentures do not require surgery unless you are having remaining unhealthy teeth removed first.
When you lose teeth, the jawbone begins to shrink (resorb) because it is no longer being stimulated by tooth roots. Standard dentures do not stop this process. Dental implants are the only solution that replaces the tooth root, providing the stimulation necessary to preserve your jawbone and maintain your natural facial structure.
There is a learning curve with traditional dentures. You may need to avoid very sticky or hard foods, and some patients find that dentures can slip while chewing. Dental implants (and implant supported dentures) restore nearly 100% of your natural biting force, allowing you to eat steak, apples, and corn on the cob without worrying about your teeth moving.
Dentures have a lower upfront cost, making them an accessible option for many families.Dental implants are a larger initial investment; however, because they can last a lifetime and prevent bone loss, many patients find them to be more cost-effective over 20+ years since they don't require the frequent relining or replacements that dentures do.
Both modern implants and dentures are designed to look incredibly natural. However, because dental implants are anchored into the jaw, they emerge from the gums just like real teeth.Dentures include a gum-colored acrylic base that sits over your natural gums. While both look great, implants typically offer the most seamless "real-tooth" appearance.
