Dental Implants or Dentures? – Weighing Up Your Options
If you’ve reached middle age or older and have suffered the inevitable wear and tear on your teeth then you might feel that now is the time to do something about it. The good news is that you do have options open to you in the form of bridges, crowns, dentures and dental implants. In Richmond for example, here at Sheen Dental we offer a wide range of tooth replacement options but many people come to us a little confused about the best course of action to take. With this in mind, we thought it would be a good idea to explain the differences between implants and dentures so you can weigh up your options.
Single tooth loss
For those who have lost a single tooth then a dental implant with an attached crown is usually the best option. It does require a surgical procedure but more often than not it’s gentle, quick, and on the whole most people are back to normal within 1-2 days.
Multiple tooth loss
In the past when multiple teeth have been lost then dentures have been the best option. Nowadays dentures are lighter and more lifelike than ever before. They’re generally easy to fit, less costly and they don’t require any form of surgery. That said, they do have their drawbacks. Unlike dental implants, dentures aren’t permanently attached and as the shape of your jaw changes over time they can become loose and uncomfortable. This is why they need regular adjustments and eventually they need replacing.
What about dental implants?
It’s certainly possible to fill every single gap with a dental implant as the patient would then have a complete set of permanent, hassle-free teeth. However in monetary terms this can work out very expensive for the patient. So what’s the solution? How do we make replacing multiple missing teeth both affordable and comfortable? The answer lies in implant retained dentures.
Implant retained dentures give you the best of both worlds. Typically 4 or 6 mini dental implants are secured at strategic intervals into the jawbone. Then a set of bespoke dentures are clipped on to the implants giving you a perfectly stable set of dentures. They’re secure enough to be able to eat anything but can also easily be detached for cleaning making them exceptionally hygienic.
If you have missing teeth and are considering dental implants in Richmond then come and speak to Sheen Dental about your options. Contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation by either phoning us direct on 020 8876 5277 or via our website at www.sheendentalimplants.co.uk