Losing a tooth because of injury or gum disease used to mean the end of having a great smile. However, we’re lucky to live in a time when dental specialists can make it look like you never had missing teeth. Two ways to deal with the gap caused by missing teeth are dentures and dental implants. Let’s take a look at the differences between partial dentures and full dental implants and how Lovett Dental Conroe can help you find the best dental implants.
An Overview of Partial Dentures
Both partial dentures and full dental implants can restore your smile. To help you decide on one or the other, it makes sense to look at the pros and cons of each alternative.
Dentures are the “false teeth” that people more commonly used until around the 1980s-1990s. They are a removable set of replacement teeth. A partial denture fixture fits around any remaining teeth you have left, on a base the color of your gums. Because they fit around or sit on top of your remaining teeth, they are less invasive than dental implants. However, there are downsides to partial dentures, such as:
- They feel bulky and awkward until you get used to them.
- They might move a little and make a clicking sound when you talk or eat, which can be embarrassing.
- Partial dentures can put stress on your remaining teeth, which hold the fixture in place.
- They might also fit poorly, making your mouth sore.
- Partial dentures may lead to increased mouth infections, causing bad breath.
Also, partial dentures tend to be less expensive than implants at first, but they have to be replaced sooner. Over time, the cost of having dentures may be more than implants.
Dental Implant Options
Dental implants fuse into your bone and are more like your natural teeth. With a single dental implant, a dental post takes the place of the tooth root. A crown (the visible part of the tooth) attaches to the top of the post near the gumline.
The design of full dental implants is a little different. When you have multiple missing teeth, you may want to replace all your teeth with full dental implants. There are two basic kinds of dental implants, so you have dental implant options at our general dentistry.
Implant-retained dentures use two dental posts that hold a full set of replacement teeth. The removable overdenture snaps on and off the posts. Using implants with overdentures creates a stronger bond than traditional dentures, which often require gummy adhesive.
The second type of full-mouth implant is a hybrid fixed denture. Dental specialists also call this All-On-4 dental implants. This requires four dental posts spaced apart to be surgically inserted into your bone. Then a dental specialist permanently secures the overdenture to the posts. The replacement teeth aren’t removable and become part of your mouth.
Advantages of Full Dental Implants
Choosing full dental implants to replace missing teeth will give you a beautiful smile and improve your overall oral health. There are other benefits of full dental implants, like:
- They help prevent bone loss
- Full dental implants don’t slip like dentures
- You can eat anything, unlike traditional dentures that don’t allow you to eat certain foods
- They are more comfortable
- Implants are more durable
When you consider how implants work and how they solve so many issues around missing teeth, you can see they are a better choice than partial dentures.
Get Dental Implants from Lovett Dental Conroe
If you’re considering full dental implants, come in for a free consultation. Our team can help you assess your dental implant options. We have highly trained dental specialists who perform dental implants. Don’t wait to replace your missing teeth, contact Lovett Dental Conroe at 936-760-2400 for your appointment.
