Dental Implants vs. Dentures

Living with missing teeth can be distressing in several ways, since patients are often unable to eat the food they love or talk and laugh with ease. Both traditional dentures and implant-supported dentures replace teeth but feature vastly different functions and benefits. If you are considering replacing lost teeth, but are not sure which option is right for you, Dr. Jose Valenzuela, Jr. can describe the differences between dental implants vs. dentures during a consultation at his dental office in Los Algodones, Mexico.

Partial and Full Traditional Dentures

Traditional dentures are removable appliances that replace some or all of your teeth. Full dentures replace all of the teeth in your upper, lower (or both) jaws. A full set of dentures rest directly on the gums and are held in place by natural suction, or by the use of dental adhesive.

Dentures have a pink, gum-colored acrylic base, and can sometimes be accompanied by a light metal framework for increased stability. Dentures are more affordable than dental implants. Though they might fulfill the function of replacing missing teeth, traditional dentures have several drawbacks, including:

• Slipping or shifting of the dentures, especially during eating or talking. The risk of this increases if the dentures have already been worn for some years and the jawbone shape changes. Dental adhesive can help but can also be messy.
• Traditional dentures are removable and need to be taken out every night for cleaning.
• There may be some food restrictions for traditional denture-wearers.
• The pink acrylic base can make the appliance appear artificial.

Dental Implant-Supported Dentures

Dental implants are considered the gold standard in restorative dentistry, as they offer unparalleled benefits of security and stability, and also preserve patients' oral health.

A dental implant is a small titanium post that is surgically inserted into the jawbone, which fuses with the surrounding tissues and replaces lost tooth roots. A variety of natural-looking customized restorations can then be attached to dental implants, depending on the patient's needs.

Dr. Valenzuela and his dedicated, friendly staff can help you choose the right restorative treatment by evaluating factors such as your oral health, lifestyle, and aesthetic goals.

Dr. Valenzuela is a dental implant expert who utilizes the most advanced technology, to ensure his patients experience the maximum benefits of the treatment. At Cosmetic & Implant Dentistry Center, we offer different types of dental implants to suit the needs of our patients.