Dental Implants vs Dentures: What's the Difference

If you have one or more missing teeth and are looking for a way to restore your smile, you may be looking at two possible solutions: dentures or dental implants. 

The best way to choose the option that suits your needs best is by understanding what the difference between the two is and how each one can help you. 

Let's begin! 

What Are Dentures? 

Dentures are a type of prosthetic that mimic your natural teeth. The artificial teeth are fixed to a gum-colored base and then attached to your mouth and supported by the tissue around your missing teeth. 

You can get partial dentures, which will replace only a few missing teeth, or complete dentures when most of your teeth are missing and you need a more comprehensive solution. 

What Are Dental Implants? 

Dental implants are another great way to replace missing teeth. In the case of an implant, a metal post will be surgically inserted into the jaw where the missing tooth was. Then, after the implant has healed and the metal post was assimilated by the jaw bone, the dentist will attach the crown to make the implant fully functional. 

What's the Difference Between the Two? 

At first sight, it looks like both dentures and implants can help you achieve the same results: restore your smile and help you regain the structure and functionality of your bite. And, that is true in some ways, but there are some significant differences between dentures and implants that can make one option better for you than the other. 

• Implants are surgically inserted into the jaw and can't be removed while dentures can be removed whenever you need or want to do it. 
• Because they are inserted into the jaw bone and mimic a real, natural tooth, implants are better at preventing jaw bone loss. 
• An implant will feel, look, and function exactly like a natural tooth while with dentures it may take a while to get used to them. Depending on how well they've been designed and the materials used, dentures can slip, making talking and eating a bit more difficult. 
• You can use implants to replace just one or more teeth. Dentures, on the other hand, can only be used to replace a full set of teeth. 
• An implant is a permanent solution that will last you a lifetime. Dentures, however, need to be replaced from time to time. 
• Implants are considerably more expensive than dentures and can take up to nine months to get them. Dentures are cheaper and the treatment period is significantly lower. 

Not Sure What's Right for You? We Can Help! 

If you have one or more missing teeth and are looking for a way to restore your smile, our Ridley Park dentists are waiting for you at Kite & Key Dentistry. We offer several restorative options, including dentures and implants, and can help you choose the right treatment for your needs. 

Get in touch with us now to book your appointment.