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When you have a tooth or teeth that need to be replaced, you’ll be met with a couple of different options—dentures and dental implants. Whichever you go with, it’s extremely important to have a missing tooth or teeth replaced.
Below we will take a look at what dental implants are, cheaper alternatives, and more information about dental implants to see if they are the right option to meet your tooth or teeth replacement needs.
Dental implants are titanium rods that attach to a dental crown (false tooth) or multiple crowns via an abutment to replace a missing tooth or multiple missing teeth. Implants are a strong and durable option, but they are also a more expensive option.
When you are looking to replace a tooth or multiple teeth price may be a factor. This is especially so if your insurance doesn’t cover dental implants, you don’t have insurance, or the insurance coverage is extremely low. If this is the case, removable dentures may be an option. These dentures are more affordable, but they also come with certain tradeoffs. These tradeoffs include durability, bite strength, ability to chew your favorite foods, and more.
While most people think of removable dentures as being a replacement for an entire row of teeth, they can actually be partial replacements as well. This means they can replace a few teeth or even one tooth. If you have only one tooth or a few teeth that need to be replaced, removable dentures may still be a cheaper alternative.
There are a few advantages that dental implants have over removable dentures. Some of these advantages include:
· Appearance. Dental implants stay put, and they don’t shift around. They also can be made with materials that look very similar to natural teeth. This makes them an excellent option for those looking for an aesthetically appealing replacement option. With either implants or dentures, though, you can feel confident with your smile.
· Strength, security, and durability. A few of the biggest advantages dental implants have over removable dentures are their strength, security, and durability. Unlike with removeable dentures, dental implants are held securely in place with a titanium rod that is implanted into your jaw. This allows you to bite and chew normally without worrying about your tooth or teeth replacements shifting around.
· Upkeep. With implants, you can continue to care for your teeth normally. Removable dentures require a different type of upkeep, which is slightly more intensive.
With all of this said, there are a couple of advantages of removable dentures that you’ll want to consider. Along with being less expensive, they are also a non-invasive replacement. This means you won’t have to undergo a surgical procedure to have them placed.
There is actually a form of dentures that bridges the gap between removable dentures and dental implants. These are implant dentures. Implant dentures involve the placement of implants to hold the dentures in place, but unlike other dental implants, implant dentures are removable. Actually, they should be removed before going to bed. Implant dentures may be a great option for those looking to replace a row of their teeth but want a little more support than what removable dentures provide.
Whether you decide to go with dental implants or removable dentures, you’ll first need to schedule an appointment with your dentist for an assessment. They will perform an oral exam and x-rays to see what the level of damage is and if dental implants are an option for you. You may not have a strong enough jaw to support dental implants, and if this is the case you may need to undergo a procedure to strengthen the area of your jawbone that will receive the implant or implants. Your dentist may also find that dental implants just won’t work out.
If your dentist determines you are a good candidate for a dental implant or implants, they will schedule an appointment with you for the placement of the rod or rods. The titanium rod or rods will be installed in your jawbone. From there, six to twelve weeks or so will be given for the rod or rods to fuse with your jawbone. Once this occurs, your dentist will attach an abutment and connect the dental crown or crowns.
Once you’ve received your dental crown, you’ll need to take proper care of it. Luckily, this isn’t any different than how you take care of your natural teeth. Continue to brush and floss around the dental implant. While you don’t have to worry about tooth decay of the dental crown, you’ll still have to worry about gum disease and decay of the surrounding teeth. Treat your dental crown like a natural tooth.
Make sure you set an immediate appointment with your dentist if your dental crown is damaged. You’ll want to have the crown repaired quickly.
There are a few factors that will go into which tooth or teeth replacement option is right for you. One is how well your jawbone can accept the placement of a dental implant or multiple implants. If you are a candidate for implants, you’ll still need to consider other factors. One of the biggest factors is cost.
Dental implants are expensive, and they will likely cost more than removable dentures. While this may not be too bad if you have good insurance, you may find your insurance provider doesn’t cover implants or doesn’t offer a lot of coverage. If this is the case, you may need to consider removable dentures as a cost-cutting measure.
Speak with your dentist to see which replacement option is possible. From there, you can figure out whether your insurance provider will cover an implant procedure and what the out-of-pocket costs would be for the placement of dental implants.