How Are Dentures Different From Dental Implants?

29 June 2016
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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Tooth loss can lead to a variety of different dental problems. This includes difficulty with chewing, embarrassment when smiling and the possibility of the remaining teeth shifting because they are no longer properly aligned. Many people who have suffered from tooth loss opt to have their remaining teeth extracted so that all their teeth can be replaced with artificial teeth. Two ways this can be done is by getting dentures or having artificial teeth permanently implanted into your gums. While both of these methods do produce an end result of a full mouth of teeth, there are some differences in getting dentures and having dental implants installed.

The Procedure 

Dentures are made by having a mold made of the gums and then waiting for the dentures to be made in a dental lab. This can normally be completed in a short amount of time if the patient's natural teeth have already been pulled and the gums are completely healed. When the dentures are made, they are fitted and adjusted for the patient so they can be worn comfortably.

Getting dental implants requires surgery on the gums. First posts must be installed surgically under the gum line and the gums must heal before the procedure is completed. Once the gums have healed properly, the artificial teeth are then attached to the posts that will hold them in place. The time it takes to complete this procedure depends on how long it takes for the patient's gums to heal after the posts have been surgically installed.

Comfort 

The level of comfort may vary between wearing dentures and having dental implants as well. Dental implants normally feel more like natural teeth because they are attached to the bone under the gums. This tends to make chewing and speaking easier because the implants remain in place at all times.

Depending on how dentures are made, they may or may not be as comfortable to wear as dental implants. If the dentures are too loose, this makes eating and speaking difficult because they may move around inside the mouth. If dentures are too tight, the gums may become sore and irritated. However, when dentures are fitted properly, they can be very comfortable to wear, eat with and speak with.

Dental Care 

Dentures can be brushed, flossed and soaked in denture cleanser to keep the looking clean and white. However, you can clean dentures more thoroughly by removing them before brushing and flossing them. Attempting to clean dentures while they are inside the mouth may leave unseen food or bacteria under them or in the tiny spaces between the teeth.

However, since dental implants are permanently affixed to the gums, they can be brushed and flossed just like natural teeth. Be sure to brush and floss them thoroughly to ensure no traces of food are left behind.

Deciding whether you want dentures or dental implants depends on several different factors. You may want to consider the time it will take for each procedure, the level of comfort you will have while wearing them and what you are willing to do to keep them maintained properly. Talk with a dentist, like http://www.silveradofamilydental.com, for more help.