Losing your teeth is serious and you should address and treat it as soon as possible. So many aspects of your life will change, and choosing the best replacement option should be well thought out. If you are missing most or all of an arch of teeth, you will have the choice between a denture and dental implants in Philadelphia, PA.
Weighing the pros and cons of each option can be difficult. Dr. Derek Conover, a leading reconstructive dentist in Philadelphia, recommends dental implants over dentures to patients because they are the next best thing to your natural teeth. Below, we lay out the pros and cons of both options.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is a tiny titanium screw-like post. We surgically implant a set of implants into your jawbone to anchor a new set of teeth. After surgery, you will need to wait until the posts have healed and fused with your jawbone.
Next, we attach abutments to the implants, and your final restoration to the abutments. When an entire arch of teeth is missing, Dr. Conover will implant as few as four strategically placed dental implants that will secure a cosmetic denture. When you compare dental implants to dentures, there are many pros to choosing implants, including:
- The next best option to natural teeth
- Better quality of life
- Will not slip or wiggle because we surgically implant them
- The presence of the implant in your jawbone will prevent bone loss
- Not bulky and will give you a natural appearance and smile
- You will have a 100% normal chewing function
- Over a 95% success rate
- Comfortable and not bulky
- With proper care, they can last a lifetime
Dentures
A denture is a set of false teeth that is removable. If you are missing an entire row of teeth, we fit you for full dentures. If most teeth are missing, we fit you for a partial. Your dentist takes impressions of your mouth and teeth. We then send them to a dental laboratory, where they make the dentures.
Dentures typically have acrylic resin and a metal base that will rest on your gums. The teeth portion is attached to the base and is typically made of plastic or porcelain but can differ depending on quality, color, and size. When you compare dental implants vs. dentures, there are many cons to choosing a denture, including:
- They are bulky and noticeable
- May take up a lot of space in your mouth
- Requires adhesive to stay in place in your mouth
- Takes ample time to adjust to them
- Requires time-consuming daily maintenance
- They slip around in your mouth, making talking and eating difficult
- There is only a 30-40% normal chewing function
- You must rebase them as your jawbone diminishes and the fit changes
- Requires periodic maintenance
- They do not even compare to fully functioning, natural teeth that are anchored to your jawbone
Comparing the Treatment Time
The time it will take you to receive your dentures will be significantly less than the time it will take to receive your final implant restoration. In about three to six weeks, you can have dentures. Getting dental implants is a long process requiring ample planning, surgeries, and healing time.
It can take over six months before we place your final restoration. Once placed, though, you will not know the difference between your implants and natural teeth. Although it may be faster to get dentures, adjusting to them will take a long time.
Comparing the Costs
There is quite a large cost gap between the cost of dental implants vs. dentures. Dentures can run anywhere from $300 to $3,000, depending on your circumstances and the type of replacement teeth you need. According to a 2010 article in the New York Times, replacing a full or partial set of damaged or missing teeth with dental implants can cost anywhere from $20,000 to $45,000.
Dental implants are a highly customized treatment that requires at least one surgery. It’s also important to remember that dentures will need to be replaced, realigned, or rebased over time.
They also require a lot of extra care and maintenance, including buying special products and cleaners. It is even possible for a person to spend more on dentures as time passes than on implants. Dental implants are a long-term investment in your oral health and overall well-being.
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