Tag: Tooth

Dental Implants or Dentures?


You may think tooth decay or missing teeth are only a cosmetic problem. But ignoring dental issues can lead to several health concerns, too. Around 120 million American citizens have lost one tooth or more.

Losing a tooth does not affect your oral functions alone. It influences the jawbone, the foundation for your teeth. Your teeth support the jaw and keep it together. But after tooth loss, the jawbone begins to weaken, deteriorate, and atrophy. Yes, even one missing tooth can affect the jawbone as it reabsorbs and makes your cheeks look hollow.

So, if you have suffered tooth loss, you may be wondering: Do I replace them with dental implants or dentures? Keep reading to learn more information about tooth replacement and which option is better for you.

Dentures

These dental prosthetics will protect the soft and firm parts of your gums. There are two kinds of dentures: partial and complete.

Complete dentures are more appropriate if you have several teeth missing. Partial dentures or traditional dental implants are better when several of your natural teeth are still in place. You can remove dentures at night or for cleaning. Implants remain in place permanently.

Advantages of Dentures

 

  • Customized for your jaw
  • Natural-looking
  • High-quality material
  • Allow you to chew and speak normally

Dental Implants

An excellent alternative to dentures is dental implants. In the past few decades, they have become the gold standard of tooth replacement. Unlike dentures, dental implants are surgically implants. They secure your jaw in the same way as natural teeth. It will take time for the area to heal. Your options include:

  • Permanent denture (partial or complete)
  • Bridge (helps with multiple teeth)
  • Dental crowns

Dental implants look natural. Nobody will guess you had lost any teeth.

Advantages of Dental Implants

 

  • Durable and long-lasting
  • Look natural and beautiful
  • Help you eat and speak normally
  • Restore the jawbone
  • Promote gum health
  • They consist of a safe, biocompatible titanium compound

Dentures vs. Implants

Before making this decision, consult your oral surgeon or dentist. However, there may be instances when your dental health professional has no preference, and the decision is entirely yours to make. Here are some things to consider before making your choice.

Choose Dentures If:

 

  • You’re on a budget
  • You need a quick solution
  • Your jaw and gums won’t support implants

Dentures will need daily cleaning, just like your teeth. If you fail to give them attention, it may weaken your jaw further. Your oral surgeon or dentist can counsel you on this.

Dentures take time to adjust to. You may need to learn how to talk and eat while wearing them, and they may need replacing in a few years.

Choose Dental Implants If:

 

  • You are looking for a lasting solution
  • You don’t want to replace every few years
  • You prefer your replacement to look more like your natural teeth

Dental implants are more expensive than dentures for an initial investment. But over time, without replacement and maintenance costs, they eventually pay for themselves. Dental implants may take longer to fill your gap, anywhere from three to nine months.

If you would like more information about dentures or dental implants, call our Austin oral surgery office at 512-327-7233 to request a consultation.

Am I a good candidate for immediate implant placement?

Having a missing tooth after an extraction can be concerning. A complete set of teeth is imperative, especially for people whose physical appearance play a significant role in their line of work. If you’re about to undergo a tooth extraction and don’t want to be without a tooth for a substantial amount of time, immediate implant placement could be the procedure for you.

What Is an Immediate Implant Placement?

Immediate implant placement, as the name implies, is the placement of a dental implant in the extraction socket at the same time the tooth is removed. In some cases immediate implant placement allows the placement of a new crown in the same day of the extraction. It reduces the amount of time you have to spend in the dental chair and allows for quicker healing. Patients can undergo an immediate implant placement if they pass the necessary criteria for the procedure.

Who Is a Good Candidate for an Immediate Implant Placement?

Some cases of tooth extraction may need to allow the socket to heal first before an implant placement can be performed. Traditional implant placements themselves requires some healing after an extraction. With today’s advanced technology, new procedures for implant placement have been developed. Two factors must be considered before a patient can be deemed a candidate for immediate implant placement:

  • Infection

For immediate implant placement, the patient’s area of extraction must be free from inflammation, gum disease, or any form of infection. If any infection or swelling exists, it will need to be cured first before the patient can undergo an implant placement procedure.

  • Quality and quantity

A sufficient bone quantity and density must be present surrounding the extraction site before a patient can be considered for immediate implant placement. The procedure cannot be performed for patients with whose bones are deteriorating or not able to support the stabilization of the new implants. Such cases may need time for healing, or may undergo dental procedures like bone grafting, before they can receive dental implants.

Are You a Candidate for Immediate Implant Placement?

Let our highly-trained medical staff assess your case. Are you a good candidate for immediate implant placement? Schedule a consultation now by reaching out to Hill Country Oral Surgery.