There are many ways to restore your smile if you’ve lost teeth. Dentures and dental implants are both effective options for replacing missing teeth. At Grand River Family Dentistry in Detroit, MI, we offer dental implants and dentures. Our skilled dentists can explain the pros and cons of each and help you choose the right option for your needs.
Dentures
There are many wonderful benefits to restoring your smile with dentures. Not only do they fill in the gaps where teeth are missing, but they also reduce many of the unwanted side effects that tend to accompany tooth loss. Some of the main pros of getting dentures include:
- More affordable than other options
- Improve the appearance of your smile
- Biting and chewing functions improve
- Provide support for sagging facial muscles
- Dentures look and function like natural teeth
- Improve speech affected by tooth loss
- The procedure for getting dentures is less complicated than other options
Although dentures are an excellent tooth replacement option, there are some things to consider before getting them. Potential cons of dentures include:
- An adjustment period is needed to get used to wearing dentures
- Dentures need to be adjusted periodically for a better fit
- Dentures may need to be replaced as your facial structure changes over time
- Wearing dentures can contribute to loss of gum and bone tissue
- Dentures can make it difficult to enjoy the taste of foods
Dental Implants
Dental implants are an exciting option for replacing missing teeth because they replace the roots of teeth, as well. Dental implants are small posts inserted into the jawbone to anchor tooth restorations in place. They can secure dental crowns, bridgework, and implant-supported overdentures. The pros of getting dental implants are numerous and include:
- Versatile and can replace one tooth at a time or several all at once
- A permanent tooth replacement option since they bond to bone tissue
- Tooth restorations secured by dental implants will not shift or slip out of place
- Dental implants prevent jawbone loss by stopping the body from reabsorbing bone tissue following tooth loss
- Reduce facial sagging and drooping by providing support for facial muscles
- Improve biting and chewing functions
- Improve speech affected by tooth loss
Dental implants offer so many exceptional benefits, but there are some important things to consider before getting them. Some cons associated with dental implants include:
- Not an option for patients with insufficient bone structure in the jaw
- The process of getting dental implants is more complicated than other tooth replacement options and involves a minor surgical procedure
- Dental implants can be more costly than other options
We offer dental implants and dentures at our Detroit, MI, dental practice. Both options provide numerous benefits. One of our experienced dentists can help you weigh the pros and cons of each and select the right option for you.