If you’re struggling with unhealthy or missing teeth, you may be considering dentures or dental implants, and wondering which treatment makes more sense for you. How important is it to replace faulty teeth, and which option is best for you?
You might get by with missing teeth as your gums seem to toughen up to help chew harder foods, and you might manage with cracked or decaying teeth until they fall out. However, neglecting these gaps or teeth can wreak havoc on your mouth and overall health.
Just one missing or decayed tooth can leave surrounding gums and teeth vulnerable to trapped food and bacteria, while neighboring teeth may shift to fill the gap. Over time, this shift can affect your entire jawbone, making your teeth even more susceptible to decay and loss.
That’s why neglecting even a single unhealthy tooth can start a slippery downward spiral.
Living with one or several unhealthy or missing teeth over time puts you at risk for challenges including:
- A shift in your jawbone that can impair speech and change your facial structure.
- Loss of confidence, potentially leading to social withdrawal.
- Difficulty chewing nutritious foods, which may impact overall health and weight management.
- Increased susceptibility to gum disease, linked to heart disease, diabetes, and strokes.
Instead of ‘getting by’ with decrepit teeth, be proactive and consider getting dentures or dental implants to keep your mouth, mind, and body healthier.
So, Are Dentures or Dental Implants Better for You?
Dentures involve a removable partial or full set of teeth to fill in the gaps between your natural teeth. In contrast, dental implants may replace a single tooth or a full set, but they are permanently installed into your jawbone with a screw and capped with a crown that closely matches your natural enamel color.
Both dentures and implants can prevent the dangerous downward spiral of missing teeth. Dentures are generally less expensive and rely on your gums or remaining teeth for stability, which can sometimes result in them slipping out of place.
Dental implants have gained popularity as a more permanent solution. Although they cost more upfront, implants offer several advantages:
- They won’t slip or move, boosting your confidence when speaking, eating, and even kissing.
- They help maintain the health of surrounding teeth by being anchored directly into your jawbone, which also supports natural bone growth.
- They tend to last longer, potentially saving you time and money on future maintenance compared to dentures.
The important factor is to find the treatment that is right for you!