3 Reasons To Choose Dental Implants Over Dentures
If you need to have missing teeth replaced you may be wondering whether to opt for dentures or implants. Dentures consist of porcelain teeth attached to a plastic plate that fits over your gums. Dental implants consist of porcelain teeth attached to titanium rods that are screwed into your gums.
The rods fuse with your jawbone, so implants offer a secure and permanent way to replace missing teeth, while dentures can be removed and can loosen over time. Here are three reasons to choose dental implants over dentures:
1. Implants Allow You To Eat Whatever You Want
Wearing dentures can limit the foods you're able to enjoy as biting into some foods can dislodge your dentures, which many wearers find embarrassing. Chewing hard foods can also cause your dentures to rub against your gums, leaving them inflamed. Additionally, food particles can get stuck underneath your dentures and cause a build-up of bacteria. Dental implants enable you to eat whatever you want without risk of the implants moving, so you can bite down on nutritionally-dense apples or enjoy a sticky, chewy treat without worry.
Implants Can Prevent Bone Loss
When you lose teeth, the bone that supported those teeth begins to disintegrate. This bone loss is the reason people with missing teeth sometimes have sagging skin around their mouth as without the supporting bone structure, your facial muscles can begin to droop. Wearing dentures doesn't stop bone erosion, but dental implants can. The titanium used in implants is the only artificial material that can stimulate your bone like your teeth once did, and living bone can't remain healthy without stimulation.
Implants Can Boost Your Self-Confidence
Denture wearers can feel self-conscious about the appearance of their dentures and worry that other people will be able to tell they are wearing dentures. This is not an unrealistic concern as the plastic frame that fits over your gums can look artificial. Additionally, if you wear a partial set of dentures, the frame may not exactly match the colour of your gums.
With implants, the titanium rods are undetectable as they are fully inserted into your gums. The porcelain teeth can be made to match the colour of your existing teeth, so they look natural and you can smile with the reassurance that no-one will know your teeth have been replaced.
If you have missing teeth or currently wear dentures and would like to find out more about dental implants, schedule an appointment with your dentist for a consultation.