If you’re missing teeth, dental implants and dentures are two popular ways to replace them. Crafted from synthetic materials, these prosthetics are both designed to restore your smile’s natural appearance and chewing abilities. However, each device offers unique pros and cons that may or may not work for your oral health needs. To help you assess treatment options, here is a brief comparison of dentures and dental implants.

5 Facets of Dentures vs. Dental Implants

1. Speed of Treatment

Apart from the initial tooth extraction—if one is necessary—dentures don’t require invasive treatment. Instead, your dentist will take an impression of your mouth and send it to a dental lab to produce the prosthetic. Your provider will place and adjust the device, as well as demonstrate how to use it.

Dental implant procedures are lengthier and more invasive. In the first stage of treatment, your dentist will surgically implant a titanium post through the gum tissue. Over several weeks, the post must fuse with the jawbone and heal. Finally, a prosthetic tooth is attached to the post.

While the treatment required for implants may be negligible for one or two missing teeth, those who are missing multiple teeth may find that dentures are a faster and more comfortable option.

2. Durability

With proper care, dental implants can last indefinitely. If the artificial tooth is damaged, a dentist can easily replace or restore it. Dentures, on the other hand, may only last between five and eight years. As such, you should expect to replace them over time.

3. Maintenance Needs

Many prefer the easy maintenance of dental implants. Just like with a normal tooth, these devices can be cared for through routine brushing, flossing, and dental visits.

Denture maintenance is more involved and requires daily removal, brushing, and rinsing. Every few days, you’ll also need to soak the prosthetics in a special cleansing solution to remove buildup.

4. Jawbone Preservation

Since implants fuse with the jawbone, they can help prevent it from deteriorating. Dentures don’t engage the jaw and can therefore lead to gradual bone loss. This jawbone loss could contribute to premature aging, such as wrinkling or drooping skin around the mouth.

5. Upfront Costs

Dentures are generally less expensive than implants and are more likely to be covered by insurance. However, dental implants could be considered a sounder long-term investment since they won’t have to be replaced in the future.

Since tooth replacement needs can vary, discuss treatment options with Dr. Brent Williams of Kemper Pond Dental in Cincinnati, OH. Providing oral health services for patients of all ages, this provider offers all types of restorative care, including dental implants and dentures. With a personalized approach, Dr. Williams will introduce you to options for your specific needs and deliver comfortable care at every stage of treatment. Visit this family dentistry office online to learn more about these services, or call (513) 531-4069 to schedule a convenient appointment.