Wondering which is better for your oral health? We’ve got the answer
The short answer is it depends on you: for a single tooth, implant dentistry can be better. For multiple teeth implant-supported dentures may be better.
The longer answer is:
Are you missing one or more teeth?
Are you wondering what the best way to replace your missing teeth is? Or why should you even bother?
You will want to replace missing teeth because it’s better for:
- Your oral health
- Speaking
- Eating
- Appearance
The fourth reason is at the bottom of the list for a reason. Even though a missing tooth is a cosmetic concern the health risks should be more pressing.
Did you know that losing a tooth can—indirectly—cause further tooth loss?
When you lose a tooth the bone that holds the tooth’s root, the alveolar bone, starts to shrink. Often after about a year, this bone will have shrunk away to the point that it will start to adversely affect your oral health.
As this bone shrinking process starts to occur it effects the surrounding teeth and gums. It can also start to give you a sunken, aged appearance. On top of this, a missing tooth can make looking after your oral health more difficult.
Bone shrinkage can damage your gums and the rest of your jaw, and this can lead to further tooth loss.
You can avoid all of this with dental implants. Dental implants replace a missing tooth root and bond with your jawbone. When the bone has fused with the implant, a dental crown, bridge or denture can be attached to the implant to re-create your missing tooth.
The benefits of replacing a tooth root with a dental implant include:
- Maintaining healthy jawbone volume
- Preventing further tooth loss
- Helping to prevent gum disease
Implant dentistry is the only form of dentistry that replaces the entire tooth: root and all. It is also a treatment that has a host of health benefits and on top of this your new prosthetic tooth will look and feel just like your natural tooth did.
Are YOU missing multiple teeth?
If you’re missing multiple (or all of your) teeth, a denture may be the most effective form of treatment. At Bulimba Dental we offer three types of dentures:
- Complete dentures
- Partial dentures
- Overdentures
A complete denture is for patients who have lost all their teeth, whereas a partial denture is useful for some patients who have some teeth remaining. An overdenture uses precision attachments in the tooth root to hold the denture in place.
So, which is better: Dental Implants or dentures?
The answer is simple: it depends on your situation. The Bulimba Dental team would recommend dental implants if you are missing one or two teeth. If you are missing more than one or two teeth, a denture may be the more practical solution for you.
To find out more about dental implants and dentures, contact Bulimba Dental to arrange an appointment with our implant doctor Dr Eric Sham today.