Dentures or Dental Implants in Springfield?

The bad news—you have missing teeth. But the good news is that you have excellent options for replacement. There are dentures, which are removable. But there is also a permanent choice in dental implants. The question is which option is best for you? Read on for information about dentures and dental implants in Springfield that will help you decide.

What are Dentures?

Dentures consist of false teeth, also called pontics. If you need to replace one or a few teeth, then a partial denture may be recommended. In this case, false teeth are attached to a metal frame held in place by clasps that hook on to adjacent teeth.

Alternatively, a full denture is made of false teeth that rest on an acrylic base colored and molded to look like your gums. Full dentures are held in place by muscle tension in your cheeks, suction and adhesive when needed.

What are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are the most lifelike tooth replacement. With these, a dentist surgically positions the implant in your jawbone. The implanted post is typically made of titanium, a biocompatible metal. As you heal from this surgery, the post and surrounding bone tissue fuse to form a solid anchor for your eventual tooth restoration.

Dental implants are appropriate for replacing a single missing tooth, several or even an entire arch of teeth. To complete the implant process, an appropriate restoration is attached to the post—a crown, a bridge or a denture.

What Tooth Replacement is Right for You?

You and your dentist will need to consider a few different factors in order to know whether dentures or dental implants are best for you. These include:

Cost. Generally speaking, dentures are initially less expensive than dental implants. However, dentures will eventually need to be replaced, usually within 10 years. With attentive oral hygiene, however, dental implants can last a lifetime, making them more cost-effective in the long run.

Jaw health. Although dentures do replace missing teeth, they do not replace missing roots. Consequently, bone tissue in your jaw may begin to melt away and your face will eventually look slackened and older. An implant, on the other hand, stimulates healthy new bone tissue growth just as a tooth root does. Therefore, dental implants can help you retain a natural facial appearance.

Care and Comfort. You will need to remove your dentures nightly for cleaning and soaking. Dental implants are taken care of just as you do your natural teeth. Maintain your regular oral hygiene routine with daily brushing and flossing to ensure the health and longevity of your dental implants.

To learn more about the pros and cons of dental implants and dentures in Springfield, schedule an appointment today.

Meet Our Practice

Advanced Dental of Springfield provides a complete menu of dental procedures to ensure the health and beauty of smiles. Our services include general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry as well as dental implants to replace one or more missing teeth. You can learn more when you visit our website.