You suffer from tooth loss – and, as embarrassing as it is, you’re committed to addressing the problem and reclaiming your oral health. But what replacement option should you decide on? How do you know if you’re a good candidate for dental implants or dentures in Silver Lake? In this post, the team at Michel Dental explains each type of artificial teeth and how you can decide what’s best for you.
What Are Dentures?
Before we explain the benefits of each prosthetic option, Dr. Michael Michel likes to thoroughly define what each are. To begin, dentures are created from of cast metal, acrylic, a flesh-colored plastic base, and porcelain dentitions. These are the most traditional choice for artificial teeth and the one you’re probably most familiar with. There are partial dentures, which are used to replace one or two missing teeth, and full dentures, which are used to substitute an entire arch of lost dentitions.
You’re a good candidate for dentures if you suffer from tooth loss and you want a solution that’s a little less expensive up front (keep in mind that dentures need to be replaced every 5 years or so).
What Are Dental Implants?
As the most innovative choice to address tooth loss, dental implants in Topeka consist of three parts:
- Implant Post – The implant itself is the titanium post that is surgically placed in jaw and will fuse with the bone to become the secure foundation for the other two components.
- Abutment – This is the connecting piece that links the post to the part of the replacement tooth that looks just like your natural smile. You’ll never see this piece, because it resides under the dental crown.
- Dental Crown – This is the tooth-shaped cap that is affixed on top of the abutment. This is the only part of the implant you’ll see when you smile and is generally made of durable, life-like porcelain.
You’re a good candidate for dental implants if you understand that the process for these can take 3-6 months (since the post needs time to heal and fuse with your jaw bone), you don’t smoke or are committed to quitting throughout the process, and you’re in generally good health and don’t have medical conditions that can inhibit your ability to heal. Although they’re a bit more expensive initially, dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care and many insurance companies will offer at least some coverage for the dental crown component.
What Are Implant-Supported Dentures?
As a way to combine the best features of dental implants and dentures, implant-retained dentures sit on a base of mini-implant posts that are just as secure, but not as invasive as single implants. They provide the security of dental implants, and the full replacement aspect of dentures. These can be used to replace several missing dentitions in a row with a partial implant-retained denture or up to an entire row of teeth with a full one. And, you’ll have the option of either a snap-in denture or one that’s permanently fixed in place and is not removable. Implant-retained dentures are particularly great because, in some instances, patients are able to receive their upgraded smile in just one visit!
You’re a good candidate for implant supported dentures if you meet the same criteria as patients who are considering single implants.
Regardless of what option you choose – dentures, dental implants, or implant-retained dentures – you can restore your smile to its former glory when you work with the team at Michel Dental, so schedule your appointment today!