Although you’re a bit embarrassed to admit it, there are some blank spots in your smile. Since your missing teeth are in the back of your mouth, you’ve waited to replace them, but not because you don’t want to. The truth is, you have questions on dentures and dental implants and you’re not sure where to start to determine which option is right for you.

Dentures & Dental Implants In Tulsa

Before we dive into the benefits of each type of replacement tooth, lets define what each option is:

• Dentures – Made of cast metal, acrylic, a flesh-colored plastic base, and porcelain dentitions, denture are the most traditional choice for artificial teeth. Partial dentures can be used to replace one or more missing pearly whites, while a full set can substitute an entire arch.
• Dental Implants – These are made of three components:
  1. Implant Post – This is the titanium post that is surgically placed in jaw and will fuse with the bone to become the secure foundation for the other two parts.
  2. Abutment – This is the connecting piece that links the post to the part of the replacement tooth that looks just like your natural smile.
  3. Dental Crown – This is the tooth-shaped cap that is affixed on top of the abutment. Generally made of porcelain, this is the only part of the implant you’ll see when you smile.
• Implant-Supported Dentures – As a way to combine the full replacement of dentures with the security and stationary aspect of dental implants, these are dentures that snap in to implant posts that have been placed in your jaw, or are fixed in an immovable position in your mouth. These are used to replace several missing dentitions in a row or up to an entire row of teeth.

What Are The Advantages Of Dentures?

Now that we’ve defined what dentures are, let’s talk about why these are a great choice to restore your smile:

• Time – Dentures take significantly less time to craft for you. In some instances, these can even be made in a week or less.
• Up-Front Cost – If you’re considering the short-term cost, dentures are less expensive than dental implants, initially, and they generally need to be replaced about every 5 years or so.
• Recent Innovations – Modern materials and techniques mean that dentures are stronger and fit more comfortably than ever before.
• No Need For Surgery – Since dentures fit on top of your jaw, there is usually no need for oral surgery. Typically, patients can expect to undergo tooth extraction as the most invasive part of the process.
• Insurance Coverage – Most insurance companies will provide more benefits for dentures than dental implants, since these are seen as a necessary (rather than elective) procedure.

What Are The Advantages Of Dental Implants?

There are many reasons that dental implants and implant-supported dentures are an ideal solution, including:

• Long-Term Cost – Since dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care, these actually end up costing less than dentures over the course of time.
• Stay In Place Smile – Dental implants aren’t removable and won’t wiggle when you speak, chew, or even kiss your sweetheart.
• No Adjustment Time – Unlike dentures that require time for patients to get used to the fit, dental implants are so life-like, you’ll have no need to adjust to them or how they work.
• Insurance Options – Many insurance companies will provide coverage for the dental crown portion of the implant, and there are inexpensive dental implant policies
• Jaw Strength – Rather than wearing away the ridges of your jaw each time you chew, dental implants actually increase bone density and strengthen your natural structures.

Both dentures and dental implants offer great benefits – schedule your appointment with Glisten Dental or give us a call if you have questions about restoring your winning smile!