Dentures or Dental Implants | Plano TX

Conventional dentures used to be your only choice for replacing most or all of your teeth. Today, though, many folks are choosing dental implants instead of dentures. That makes sense, as implants offer many advantages. However, they aren’t right for everyone.

If you’re trying to decide whether to get dentures or dental implants, we can help. Dr. Rick Barfield will examine you and walk you through the pros and cons of both dentures and implants so you can choose the one that is right for your smile. Call 972-380-8105 to schedule an appointment.

Among the factors you’ll consider when deciding between dentures or dental implants:

Number of teeth, if any, you have left
The condition of your jaw
Overall oral health
Your lifestyle
Your budget

In the meantime, we’re sharing some of the pros and cons of both approaches with you here. If you have questions about the information, Dr. Barfield will be happy to answer them during your tooth replacement consultation.

Pros and Cons of Dentures

Dentures are still the most common way to replace missing teeth. Many people choose them because they are often the least expensive teeth replacement option. In addition:

They are less invasive than dental implants; unlike implants, no surgery is required.
A good set of dentures can fill out your face and make you look younger.
They can replace a few missing teeth (with a partial denture) or all of your natural teeth.
They may be a good option if your jaw isn’t strong enough to support implants.

Some of the disadvantages of dentures:

They are not as strong as natural teeth. Studies have found that dentures only supply about 25 to 50 percent of the strength of natural teeth. This affects your ability to eat certain foods.
They can shift in your mouth and even become dislodged.
Dentures can rub against your gums, causing irritation.
Dentures may warp or break over time. They require periodic fit adjustments.

More on the Cost of Dentures

While dentures cost less than dental implants upfront, it’s important to consider the lifetime costs of both teeth replacements. With proper care, implants can last a lifetime. Once you’ve gotten implants, you’ll probably forget you even have them. Generally, no replacement or maintenance is required.

In contrast, dentures often require periodic relining to maintain a snug fit. In addition, it’s a good idea to replace dentures every five to eight years.

Pros and Cons of Dental Implants

Because dental implants are embedded in your jaw, they stimulate it when you chew much like natural tooth roots do. This keeps your jaw healthy and strong, avoiding the bone loss that can result in a “shrunken” look over time. In addition, implants:

Give you chewing strength nearly equal to that of your natural teeth
Stay in place without adhesive
Can last forever with proper care
Can be restored with a crown, a bridge, or a full arch of replacement teeth

The main drawbacks of implants are the need for a surgical procedure to place them and their higher cost. In addition, it can take several months for an implant to heal after placement. However, at 1st in Smiles we offer the option of mini dental implants. Since they are smaller than full-size implants, the placement procedure is less invasive and they heal far more quickly.

The best way to determine whether dentures or dental implants will work best for you is a consultation with Dr. Barfield. To schedule one, call 1st in Smiles at 972-380-8105.