Dental Implants vs. Dentures

Serving Annapolis, Maryland

Dental implants and dentures are both treatment options for missing teeth. They differ in how they are placed in your mouth, how they function, longevity, and cost.

Dentures - The traditional method used to replace sections of missing teeth, dentures are either full sets of false upper or lower teeth, or what are called partials, where only a few teeth are replaced. historically, they have been made from bone, ivory, and porcelain. Dentures are removable and typically attached to the gum(s) using a denture adhesive. Many denture wearers complain of pain, especially with a full set of lower dentures. This is because the force of chewing is resting squarely on the gum tissue, rather than being directed into the jaw bone and muscles

Dental Implants - Considered the standard of care for large sections of missing teeth or replacing the entire set of upper or lower teeth, dental implants consist of titanium posts attached by anchors implanted in the bone, then covered by a porcelain crown.  Dental implants closely mirror the makeup of your natural teeth by how they are “rooted” into your mouth.

Because they simulate the strong holding ability of the tooth’s root, dental implants are much stronger than dentures. Through being attached to the jawbone they can withstand the same chewing forces that natural teeth.

Advantages of Dental Implants

Dental implants have many advantages over dentures, including:

• Aesthetics – Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth.
• Bone loss prevention – Implants have been shown to prevent bone loss because they function as part of the bone once healing is complete, and they fill the hole left by the missing tooth root. This prevents the bone from shrinking into the hole left by your tooth.
• Confidence – Dental implants increase self-esteem for those who have them by eliminating worry about dentures slipping or falling out.
• Maintaining facial structure –Embedded in the jawbone, rather than sitting on top of the gums, dental implants keep the jaw line intact and prevent bone shrinkage.
• Long lasting – Dental implants, acting as part of the jawbone, give you the same chewing strength as natural teeth, and the crowns attached to them need only the same daily care as your natural teeth.
• Quality of oral heath – Because dental implants don’t ever use other teeth for support (as partial dentures do), the neighboring teeth don’t suffer.
• Reliability – Dental implants have an extremely high success rate.

If you are considering dental implants, please contact Maryland dental implant expert Dr. Kian Djawdan today to schedule an initial consultation. We serve the areas surrounding Annapolis and are happy to answer your questions.