That perfect smile is what gets you noticed in a room full of people. One laugh, and you can win people’s hearts. A missing tooth can take all that away from you. And what will you not give for that kind of power? Anything, right? But you don’t have to! Yes, that’s true. Your smile can go from regular to charming with just one simple teeth replacement procedure.
There are several ways to do so, and all of them depend on factors like the health of your natural teeth, your preferences, pricing options, and your dentist. But the two options that most people find difficult to choose from are dental implants and dentures. Both procedures are great, and there is no winner amongst them, but when it comes to choosing one for you, it can get tricky. Any experienced dentist will clarify for you that both of these procedures have their benefits and some drawbacks. And this blog will help you understand how to make that decision. Let’s begin by understanding each of these procedures individually.
Dental Implants
A dental implant is an artificial structure that is inserted in a person’s jawbone when they are missing a tooth. It is a surgical procedure, and in this dental surgery, your dentist will place an anchor with the help of a screw-like device, which will act as the base for your new tooth (also called a crown). Between the crown and the anchor comes a device called an abutment, which connects the two pieces.
In recent times, dental implants have gained much more popularity than dentures. The reason is that they are a permanent solution and are deemed by most patients as a hassle-free way to deal with their dental troubles.
Procedure For a Dental Implant
A dental implant procedure generally involves five steps and they are:
Step 1: Removing the damaged teeth
Firstly, the damaged tooth is removed completely from its place by an experienced dentist to make space for the new implant or anchor to take its place.
Step 2: Preparing the jaw bone
Next up is the process of preparing the jaw bone. It is done with the help of several X-rays that guide the dentist to drill a hole in the jaw bone or place the crown in the gum, depending on the type of dental implant one opts for.
Step 3: Placing the implants
After drilling the jaw bone, the implants are placed in the hole and given about 3–6 months to heal properly. During this time, the jaw bone adjusts to the new metal implants.
Step 4: Placing the abutment
Once the jaw bone is properly healed, it’s time to place the abutment. This is the second surgery where the abutment is placed, which provides a proper base for the new teeth.
Step 5: Placing the crown
The last step involves creating a matching artificial tooth for the patient by taking their impressions. Once the tooth is ready, a dental specialist puts it in place.
Now that you are fairly acquainted with the term dental implant and the procedure, it’s time to learn its pros and cons.
Pros of a Dental Implant
- Look more natural and comfortable
- The success rate is high
- The chewing function is better
- Lower risk of developing cavities in surrounding teeth
- Lead to better maintenance of bone at the site of the lost tooth
- No need to be cleaned every night
Cons of a Dental Implant
It is not for everyone, as one needs to fit the criteria, like a healthy jaw bone and gums
Dentures
A denture is a prosthetic device that is made of artificial materials like plastic or nylon. It replaces your missing teeth by sitting over the gums. It’s a removable teeth replacement. A typical denture treatment involves 5 to 6 sessions with your dentist to create the perfect pair of dentures for you.
Types of Dentures
There are different types of denture treatment available, depending on your needs. Here is a list of them:
- Complete Denture
- Partial Denture
- Fixed Partial Denture
- Implant-supported dentures
- Immediate Dentures
- Procedure For Getting Dentures
Getting a denture is a non-surgical procedure, and the process is fairly simple. In the very first sitting your dentist will take your teeth impression and measurement. This helps in creating the perfect denture set for you and will happen more than once. Next up is the process of eliminating the faulty tooth and tooth scaling. Once all the measurements are taken, a final fitting is done, and you get fitted with the new teeth.
Now that you are fairly acquainted with the denture treatment, it’s time to learn its pros and cons.
Pros of a Dentures
- They are less expensive
- Getting dentures is non-surgical, i.e. no drilling and no major post-surgery car
- The process is faster
Cons of a Dentures
- Adjustments/replacements are required with age
- It takes time to get used to, and patients often experience increased salivation, difficulty chewing, and difficulty speaking
- They require daily care and proper maintenance
Based on the information you just learned in this blog, you are now ready to pick a suitable option between denture treatment and dental implants. But if you are looking for more information and guidance on this matter, you must visit Cosmodent.
Cosmodent is the leading dental clinic for all kinds of dental implant treatment in Jaipur. They have a team of specialised and experienced dentists who are at the top of their game. Apart from that, Cosmodent is the go-to dental clinic for Jaipurites for regular dental checkups. Their patient care is world-class, and once you visit them, you will find that they take very good care of your teeth and you.
