Imagup General Magazine 2024
Tooth loss is a common problem that is affecting millions of Americans. Statistics from the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons indicate that about 70 percent of adults between 35 and 44 years have lost at least one tooth due to either gum disease, an accident, dental fracture, or tooth decay.
The effect? An unhealthy mouth and a significant dent on your self-esteem. When you lose a tooth, smiling becomes a problem since you will always be sensitive and self-aware.
Additionally, when your gums are left exposed, it leaves room for food and bacteria to occupy. Failure to remove these food bits and bacteria can lead to the development of nasty infections. Then you can end up suffering from gum disease, which has links to diabetes and heart disease.
But long are the days when you had to suffer silently due to missing teeth. Due to medical advancements, you can now replace your missing teeth through either the use of dentures or dental implants.
While both options can help restore your smile; they offer different experiences.
What are Dentures and Are They Right for You?
The first thought that may pop into your mind upon the mention of dentures are false teeth belonging to a granny sitting on a bedside table. However, these advancements in dental replacement are very valuable for people missing a set of teeth.
Complete dentures replace all teeth. On the other hand, partial dentures help to fill in the spaces where you are missing teeth. Additionally, complete dentures use the gum to gain support, while partial dentures use clasps to gain support around the existing teeth. They may also use attachments that are fitted into the crowns.
Even though the quality of modern dentures is far improved; it is not ideal for everyone. It would help if you secured the dentures with a denture adhesive for them to remain in place. If not, they may slip out as you speak or eat, creating a rather embarrassing moment you would not want to experience.
Moreover, when you fail to properly fit partial dentures in place, you risk promoting teeth infection and decay.
That being said, are there any benefits to using dentures?
- They are non-invasive – The process of installing dentures is non-invasive. As a result, you do not need any surgery.
- Realistic appearance – Dentures provide you with a more realistic appearance to the regular teeth arrangement. The false teeth have a natural appearance and use a pink acrylic that is quite similar to the gum tissue color.
- Highly affordable – When you compare the process of installing dentures to an invasive process like dental implants, it is the cheaper of the two.
- Easily adjustable – You can apply any modification to your dentures quite easily to accommodate any dental changes.
- Provide facial structure support – Dentures help to support both your lips and cheeks. It helps to prevent your face from collapsing inwards while at the same time maintain the distance between the lower and upper jaws.
Disadvantages of Dentures
Even with the above advantages, it still has its drawbacks. Since dentures are man-made, they may not have a natural look, primarily due to the acrylic that acts as the gum tissue. Additionally, using dentures may require enough perseverance since you need to remove and clean them regularly. It is especially so every evening since you have to give your gums enough time to rest.
Sometimes, you may find it hard to eat or speak when wearing the dentures since you do not have enough muscle in the mouth to control them and hold them intact. Moreover, you cannot eat any food when wearing your dentures. There are certain restrictions on what you can chew with them that may affect your overall nutritional dietary requirements.
To cap it all, the use of partial dentures may end up weakening the supporting teeth leading to a possibility of teeth reshaping.
Who is Best Suited to Wear Dentures?
Dentures are not only for the elderly but can be worn by anyone at any age. They are the best option if you cannot receive an implant due to medical reasons. If you need to replace one or several teeth, a dental implant expert may recommend partial dentures. However, for an entire arch of teeth, they may recommend a full denture.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a device that is inserted into the gum to provide support to the tooth by acting similarly to the root. It is a permanent alternative to a denture. Though it may cost you more, it can save you money over time since you do not continually visit the dentist. Moreover, it is easier to maintain. If you maintain good oral hygiene, you may not require to replace your implants for the next 20 years. You will not get to experience problems such as slipping out of place while eating or talking that would happen when using dentures. It is because dental implants are held in place firmly with the help of screws.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Improved appearance: Since dental implants make part of your bone, they provide you with an instead natural look and feel. It is, therefore, difficult to distinguish between a real tooth and an implant.
It is Comfortable to Use: Unlike dentures, implants are more comfortable to use since they are a part of you. Therefore, you can speak without mumbling or slurring your words or eating any food without difficulty.
Increase in Confidence and Self Esteem: Smiling becomes more comfortable when you have dental implants since you feel better about yourself.
Who is Best Suited to Wear Dental Implants?
Not everyone can successfully receive a dental implant. Your gums need to be healthy and robust enough to accommodate the implants. Additionally, it would help if you were committed to good oral hygiene and visit your dentist regularly.
If you have any chronic illnesses or have received any radiotherapy around your neck and head, you may need first to receive an evaluation. You can consult with a dental implant expert to determine if you can receive an implant.
For more info, click here: https://www.drmarclazare.com/dental-services/dental-implants
