Dentures vs. Implants

False teeth have come a long way since the days of your grandparents. You don’t have to struggle with ill-fitting dentures. Today, thanks to the expertise and training of your dentist at Albany County Dental Associates, you don’t have to suffer from being toothless. Whether you choose dentures, which are removeable, or implants, which are permanent, your dentist strives to maintain your happiness and well-being.

At Albany County Dental Associates, your family dentists also are cosmetic dentists. They understand the importance of maintaining your dental health while making your smile as attractive as it can be.

Losing your teeth can affect you psychologically. Your self-confidence fades, you stop smiling or laughing out loud and you may start to dread going to social gatherings or trying for a new job. As you consider dentures vs. implants, keep in mind that both help you regain your life back, although each has its own pros and cons.

Discuss your medical history to rule out any complications as you decide between dentures vs. implants. Make sure you mention your insurance and budget restrictions. Your Albany-area dentist is committed to providing you and your family with the best in affordable dentistry

What Are the Disadvantages of Dentures?

Conventional dentures are less costly but come with a host of issues. The most common is that they don’t feel natural in your mouth. You also may develop gum irritation as the dentures simply lie on the gums and bones without support. Of course, your Albany Dental team works with you to make adjustments to get the best fit, but they may feel awkward in the beginning.

Eating some kinds of food also may be difficult as the dentures may move around when you bite or chew. And then there’s the very common fear that your dentures will fall out. In the past, people who lost all their teeth didn’t have many options, but now you can choose between implants vs. dentures.

Why Implants Are Ideal

The advantage to getting implants is the ability to take back control of your mouth. You can bite into raw fruits and vegetables without worrying, and you can chew food properly to prevent indigestion. Your speech also improves since you won’t experience odd lisps or unexpected whistles.

The titanium implants also help preserve your jaw bone and stimulate growth. Implant technology allows you to get your teeth and implants on the same day. There is also an option to get mini implants if your bone mass isn’t sufficient to support regular implants. Discuss implants vs. dentures with your dentist at Albany Dental to determine your best choice.

Getting Dental Implants

Getting implants requires a commitment from you, as the process usually involves a minimum of two surgeries. Your dentist first ascertains that your gum and bones are healthy enough. Then the first surgery involves putting the implant screws into place, and the second procedure involves setting up the abutments, on which the crowns sit.

Recovery can take anywhere between three to six months while the titanium screws bond with the surrounding bone and gum tissue. You wear temporary dentures during this time. Your dentist makes sure the implants are firmly in place before adding the implant dentures. Depending on the condition of your teeth, four or six implants form the base for the implant dentures

Three Types of Denture Attachments

Your implant dentures look like real teeth. Pink acrylic act as the gums and white acrylic or porcelain are used for the teeth. There are three distinct methods of attaching the dentures to the implants. Your dentist recommends what works best for your teeth:

  • Bar-retained involves curving a metal bar around your jaw and implants, and then using attachment clips to attach the dentures to the implants.
  • Ball-retained works like press-on buttons with attachments on both the implants and dentures. Simply lock both the pieces together.
  • Fixed uses just one piece. You attach the dentures with the bar to the implants using screws.

Caring for Your New Teeth

Dental implants with dentures are permanent and last anywhere between 25 and 40 years with proper care. You need to develop and maintain exceptional oral hygiene to prevent any problems with your teeth and keep up with regular dental visits at Albany Dental to prevent problems from arising. The American Dental Association provides this advice:

  • Brush your gums, tongue and roof of your mouth every morning with a soft-bristled brush before you insert your dentures. This stimulates circulation in your tissues and helps remove plaque.
  • Rinse your dentures before brushing to remove any loose food or debris.
  • Brush your dentures daily like your teeth to remove food particles and plaque. Brushing also can help keep the teeth from staining.
  • Use a soft bristle toothbrush and a non-abrasive cleanser to gently brush all the surfaces of the dentures so they don’t get scratched.
  • When brushing, clean your mouth thoroughly — including your gums, cheeks, roof of your mouth and tongue — to remove any plaque. This can help reduce the risk of oral irritation and bad breath.