If you’re missing one or more teeth, you might be thinking about filling in that gap in your smile with artificial pearly whites. Modern dentistry has bestowed on us a range of tooth replacement options, each with its own unique advantages. If you’re trying to decide whether dentures or dental implants in Corpus Christi are a better choice for you, we’re here to help. Let’s take a look at each option.
Dental Implants
Many dentists firmly believe that dental implants are the best way to replace missing teeth. They offer some outstanding perks, including:
- They may last for a lifetime.
- Protection for your natural teeth. Your dentist won’t have to remove enamel from your existing teeth, and the implants themselves will keep your teeth in their places.
- Prevention of bone loss. When you lose teeth, your jaw will deteriorate over time. Implants can stop this issue because they bond with your body, acting like tooth roots. They encourage blood to flow to your jaw, helping to keep the bone strong and healthy.
- Strong bite force. Implants are extremely sturdy, able to stand up to all of your favorite goodies.
- Easy care. It’s important to be diligent about oral hygiene when you have implants, but you won’t have to spend a ton of time or effort on keeping them in good shape.
Dentures
Dental implants might be the gold standard of tooth replacement options, but they aren’t right for everybody. Some great advantages that dentures in Corpus Christi offer include:
- They have a much lower upfront cost than implants, and insurance is more likely to help you pay for them.
- The dental implant process can take up to a year to complete. You may be the owner of a custom set of dentures in just a couple of weeks.
- Fewer health considerations. Because dental implants require surgery, they might not be right for people with low bone density or who have a compromised immune system. Those issues don’t come into play with dentures.
Which Is Right for You?
Of course, you should listen to the recommendation of your dentist in Corpus Christi when you’re trying to decide how to replace your teeth. It’s likely that if you are healthy enough for it and have great oral hygiene habits, they’ll urge you to choose implants because of the long-term advantages they offer. Dentures are often the better option for folks with low bone density or who struggle with gum disease.
Another thing to consider is how many teeth you want to replace. Implants can replace a single tooth or many teeth, whereas dentures might replace a few teeth or an entire row (not just one tooth).
Dentures or dental implants? Both choices have their upsides, and a one-on-one chat with your dentist might be what you need to come to the right decision.
About Us
Dr. Sarah Pitarra and the rest of her team derive great satisfaction from helping their patients to regain complete smiles. If you have questions about how to replace your missing teeth, please contact our office at 361-855-7171.