Dental implants and dentures are popular solutions for replacing damaged or missing teeth. They both provide a natural look and fit and are indistinguishable from surrounding teeth, ensuring a bright smile and a comfortable bite. But implants and dentures are different restorative procedures. Learn about some of their key differences to better identify which option is right for your needs.

Dental Implants

An implant is a titanium post that a dentist or oral surgeon implants directly into your jawbone. This functions as an anchor for a replacement tooth that is then affixed to the top of the post.

A dental implant is a permanent part of your mouth and requires the same care and upkeep as natural teeth. Implants will last for decades and help preserve the structure and shape of your jaw and face.

A potential drawback is the multistep implantation procedure; it typically requires more than one visit to the dentist or surgeon. Also, you need a fair amount of healthy bone and gum tissue to secure the post in place. Bone and tissue grafts can be performed with more appointments and procedures.

Dentures

Dentures are plates of artificial teeth. Complete dentures replace the entire set of teeth on either the top or bottom of the mouth, while partials fill in gaps. Some dentures are removable; others are fixed with either metal fasteners or special accessories held by crowns.

Being fitted for dentures is a much faster and less invasive process than getting a dental implant. Dentures can replace entire sections of missing teeth in one go. They’re cost-effective solutions for people who have inadequate bone or gum tissue to support implants.

One possible downside of dentures is that they need to fit perfectly to the contours of the mouth to achieve a comfortable fit, so occasional adjustments are needed. As the mouth changes with age, replacement plates are often necessary.

To decide between dental implants and dentures, Oral Surgery Associates of Alaska will help you determine which is better suited to your situation. Serving the Anchorage area, their board-certified doctors offer a variety of oral and dental surgeries, including implants, bone grafts, and wisdom teeth removal. Call (907) 561-1430 to schedule an appointment, or visit their website to find out more about their services.