As we age, many of us may lose a tooth or two to some accident or dental complication. While there is little we can do to save the tooth, there are things available to us that can restore the function and aesthetics of our smile. Here we discuss the positives and negatives of two possible solutions if you lose a tooth \u2013\u00a0 dental implants and dentures.<\/p>\n
Dentures are sets of false or fake teeth that you place on the space of the missing tooth using some dental adhesive. Dentures require a much shorter time span to prepare compared to dental implants and less time in the dentist\u2019s office. Dentures work best for people who have fragile gums or a weak jaw. However, the problem with dentures is that despite dental adhesives, there’s still the chance that dentures can become dislodged from your mouth which can be an embarrassing experience. You also can\u2019t use dentures to bite into hard foods as they may break. Dentures also feel somewhat unnatural and can make speaking clearly difficult.
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\nDental implants are all about replacing the tooth you lost by surgically installing a root for a new tooth prosthetic. Your new tooth is fixed, does not move and no longer needs adhesive. Dental implants take longer to install and require several trips to the dentist and will need dental procedures to set up the implant. Implants may also cost more; however, there are many benefits associated to dental implants. They feel more natural as if the dental implant is a part of your normal teeth structure. They are also very sturdy, function like your natural teeth and promote healthy bone growth.<\/p>\n