Dental implants and dentures are both good options for restoring your smile, but the best choice for tooth replacement is dependent on each patient’s situation. Implants and dentures each have their own benefits and criteria that patients have to meet for treatment, but in many cases, implants are a better choice than dentures.
Levesque Dentistry, a respected dental practice in Nashua, NH, helps patients restore their healthy smiles with the best treatment for their needs. We offer comprehensive consultations for patients who want to discuss whether they should consider dentures or implants.
Dental Implants vs. Dentures: Benefits of Each
Dentures are full arches of artificial teeth that are fitted to the patient’s mouth and look and function like natural teeth. This tooth replacement option has been around for a long time and is a good choice for people who are missing multiple teeth in one arch.
They are also a less expensive option than dental implants, which are a newer option. However, dentures also require more care and maintenance than implants. Dentures must be removed daily for cleaning and need messy adhesives to secure them when they’re being worn.
Dental implants, on the other hand, are small titanium screws that are surgically implanted in the jawbone. A lifelike prosthetic tooth (a crown) is secured to the top of the implant screw and offers the same functionality as natural teeth.
Your dentist can even support a full arch of missing teeth on just four implant screws in a treatment called implant-secured dentures. These dentures do not require removal for cleaning or any special maintenance.
Implants feel, look, and function like natural teeth and won’t change shape or warp over time and are less likely to break than dentures – giving you the natural, low-maintenance effect of natural teeth.
Are Dental Implants Right For Me?
Dental implants are not ideal for all patients, although they are normally the treatment option preferred by dentists and patients. Dental implants require the underlying jawbone to be healthy and strong, so if you have begun to experience bone loss, you may not be a good candidate for implants.
There are treatments for re-growing or transplanting jawbone, so dental implants aren’t out of the question, even if your jawbone tissue isn’t currently healthy.
Patients who are missing multiple missing teeth may want to consider implant-supported dentures as a way to preserve jawbone health. Implants actually promote the health of the underlying jawbone and facial structure by stimulating bone growth. Removable dentures do not provide this stability and may result in further bone deterioration.
Replace Missing Teeth in Nashua, NH
The practitioners at Nashua dental provider Levesque Dentistry have many years of experience and advanced training in the placement of all types of dental implants.
Their expertise and artistry have helped many patients rejuvenate their smiles and confidence after the dental implant procedure. Schedule your consultation online or call Levesque Dentistry at (603) 547-9203 today!