Dental Implants Vs. Dentures – What’s The Difference?

Dental Implants Vs. Dentures – What’s The Difference?

Looking to replace missing teeth in Hales Corner? At DK Dental Care, we have a variety of tooth replacement options, including both dental implants and dentures. Not sure which treatment is right for you? Get more details about each one below. We’ll discuss the primary differences between both treatments, and help you learn a bit more about them.

Cost & Insurance Coverage

Dental implants typically cost quite a bit more than dentures, and are often not covered by dental insurance. This means that they may not be the right option if you have a tight budget for restoring your smile. Although the up-front cost may be high, they are an excellent long-term investment. 

In contrast, dentures are cheaper and are usually covered by dental insurance up to applicable limits. Whether you need to replace one tooth or an entire mouth of teeth, dentures are typically much more affordable. 

Treatment Time & Complexity 

Dentures come out on top here, too. It usually takes less than a month to create a new set of dentures, which means you can restore your smile, your bite, and your self-confidence more quickly.

Dental implants, on the other hand, usually require at least 6 months to complete. The results are worth the wait, but this is still something to keep in mind when picking between these treatments. 

Convenience & Comfort 

In this category, dental implants are the clear winner. They require very little special care, and are extremely comfortable and convenient. They look and feel just like natural teeth, and never have to be removed from your mouth.

Dentures require more special care, such as frequent brushing and nightly soaking. It can also be a little bit harder to adjust to chewing with them, and they may shift or move slightly, though this can be mitigated with the proper fit. 

Long-Term Results & Overall Lifespan

If you want fantastic long-term results, dental implants are the best choice despite a higher initial cost and longer treatment process. They can easily last up to 30 years or longer with proper care, and many patients will be able to keep their implants forever.

In contrast, dentures tend to wear out much quicker, and require frequent relining, maintenance, and replacement. Full dentures usually last somewhere between 5 and 10 years, while partial dentures tend to last a bit longer at 10 to 15 years. 

Protecting Your Overall Oral Health 

Both dentures and dental implants help prevent teeth from shifting due to tooth loss, but only dental implants prevent bone resorption. Bone resorption happens when the bone below a tooth begins to weaken after tooth loss.

Bone resorption happens because the tooth is no longer stimulating the bone. Dentures do not address this issue, but dental implants do. Because they are placed directly into the bone, they transmit force into the bone when you chew and bite, preserving the bone tissue.

Contact DK Dental Care To Learn More About Tooth Replacement In Fox Point

Dentures and dental implants are both good options for replacing missing teeth. If you’re still not sure which choice is right for you, just get in touch with us online or give us a call at (414) 529-3253 to schedule a consultation.

Our team can assess your oral health, discuss your preferences and your budget, and help you choose the treatment that’s right for your own unique situation.

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