When it comes to choosing the right tooth replacement option, there is no “one-size-fits-all” solution. The right choice for you may not be the right choice for someone else given your personal medical history, time of life, and individual preferences. 

Are Dental Implants Better Than Dentures?

With that said, we can lay out the potential downsides and the potential benefits of the two most common tooth replacement options. To that end, let’s discuss the differences between dental implants and dentures to give you a better idea of which option might be right for you. 

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are individual prosthetic teeth that replace a natural tooth from root to tip. Each dental implant is made of three separate pieces: the post, the abutment, and the crown. 

To support your dental implants, your periodontist in Los Angeles will drill directly into the jawbone. The abutment acts as a connector to the crown, which replicates the appearance of a real tooth. 

The Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants offer superior stability and life-long advantages. While it is true that you will likely have to replace the crown every ten years or so, a correctly placed post should last for the rest of your life.

The placement of the post comes with the added benefit of continuing the relationship between your jaw and your teeth. Every time you chew, you will put pressure on the post, which will encourage your jawbone to remodel as it normally would. 

As a result, your jawbone will maintain itself rather than atrophying due to lack of use.

The Downsides of Dental Implants

Dental implants can take up to nine months to complete if you require a bone graft. Even in the best-case scenario, the entire process can take a few months because your jaw needs time to heal after the post is placed. 

Dental implants can also be costly if you need several teeth replaced.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are generally removable prosthetics that are designed to replace a relatively large number of teeth if not a whole set. Removable dentures are usually fitted to the gums to create a snug fit that shouldn’t feel precarious once you get used to them.

The Benefits of Dentures

Dentures offer a quick and painless tooth replacement option. With just one set of impressions and a little patience, you can rebuild your smile from scratch within a few weeks. 

Dentures are a great choice for people who don’t have enough healthy bone tissue for dental implants or who have medical conditions that make dental surgery risky. 

The Downsides of Dentures

The only real downside of dentures is the gradual atrophy of the bones in your jaw. As the shape of the bone changes with time, you will need to have your dentures refitted to keep them stable and comfortable.

The good news is that going to your dentist every six months as you normally would will ensure that your dentist has every opportunity to maintain the fit of your dentures. 

Possible Hybrid Options

If you’re considering getting dental implants in Los Angeles but don’t want to fully commit by replacing a large number of teeth, then you should know that there are a couple of hybrid options. 

A few well-placed dental implants can be used to anchor a dental bridge or a set of specialized dentures. Both of these hybrid options offer many of the same benefits of dental implants without requiring you to replace every single tooth with an individual implant. 

These options provide more affordable ways to have stable, non-removable tooth replacement choices that will help maintain the health of your jaw over time.