Dental Implants vs. Dentures: What's the Difference?

If you are struggling with missing teeth, modern dentistry provides many great solutions that can help restore your confidence and support your oral health.

In this short blog post, you can learn about the differences between dental implants and dentures. Check it out now and discover which one might be right for you:

Benefits of Dental Implants 

Dental implants are artificial teeth that mimic the appearance and function of a natural tooth. They are made from three distinct elements.

First, the metal post gets inserted into the jawbone and acts like a root, helping stimulate the jaw with everything you chew.

The abutment helps connect the post to the dental crown, which is the visible part of the implant, allowing you to chew your food properly and complete your smile.

Getting dental implants comes with several distinct benefits:

• Provides a long-term solution for missing teeth.
• Implants look and feel completely natural.
• Help prevent jawbone loss.
• Requires simple maintenance that essentially involves good oral hygiene.
• Can be used to replace one missing tooth or the entire arch through implant-supported dentures.

Benefits of Dentures

Dentures are a type of removable prosthetic that can replace the full or partial arch. They are custom-made to suit every patient, ensuring high levels of comfort and a natural look.

The prosthetic also includes gum tissue to allow it to perfectly blend into a person’s mouth and provide a seamless smile.

Benefits of dentures can include:

• Are a low-cost solution for missing teeth
• Patients can get them even if they have bone loss, which prevents them from getting implants.
• They are easy to maintain because they are removable.
• Modern dentures look natural and feel comfortable.
• May also be used to replace just 1-2 missing teeth.

What's the Right Option for Me?

The best way to learn which option is best for restoring your smile is to see Dr. Alexandra Porcu for a consultation. 

It’s important to take your current oral health and smile expectations into account before deciding between dentures and dental implants.

For example, dental implants are not suitable for patients dealing with bone mass loss, a common side effect of missing teeth. Such patients would need to get dentures instead or go through additional procedures to restore their bone mass, such as a sinus lift or a bone graft.

Dr. Porcu will conduct a thorough assessment of your mouth to determine if you’re a good candidate for either procedure or recommend an alternative course of action if necessary.

Schedule Your Appointment Today

Struggling with missing teeth? Come meet Dr. Alexandra Porcu and discover your optimal path toward a healthy and happy smile.

Schedule a consultation at Harrison Family Dentists today and stop by to see if implants or dentures are right for you.

To learn more about our services, you can call our office at (518) 584-6240 for a short chat.