Dental Implants vs. Dentures: Which Is the Best Fit for Your Smile?

At Dental Care of Madison, we offer a comprehensive range of tooth replacement solutions, including dental implants and dentures, tailored to your smile's unique needs. Our experienced dentists in Madison, MS, use cutting-edge technology and high-quality materials to enhance the health, beauty, and function of your smile, with long-lasting results. The question is, which type of tooth replacement option is right for you?

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are biocompatible, screw-shaped titanium posts that are surgically placed in the jawbone to replace missing tooth roots. As your mouth heals, your implants will fuse to the jawbone through a process known as osseointegration, creating a stable and secure foundation to support one, several, or a full arch of replacement teeth.

At Dental Care of Madison, we offer several implant restoration options to address your unique needs, including the following:

• - Single Implants: A dental crown secured to a single implant can replace a missing tooth. Single implants deliver a natural look and feel nearly indistinguishable from your real teeth.
• - Implant-Supported Bridges: These aesthetic restorations are designed to replace several teeth in a row. Unlike traditional bridges that rely on natural teeth for support, implant-supported bridges are secured to dental implants adjacent to the gap, delivering exceptional stability and function.
• - Implant-Supported Dentures: Implant-supported dentures offer a stable and secure alternative to traditional dentures. These removable overdentures snap onto several implants placed in your jawbone, restoring the health, comfort, and natural appearance of your smile.

What Is the Dental Implant Process?

Your dental implant process begins with a thorough oral health evaluation and imaging to determine your bone density in the area. If you have gum disease or cavities, we may need to restore your smile's health in preparation for your implant procedure. Moreover, if you have bone loss, we may recommend a bone grafting procedure to provide adequate support for your implants, ensuring their success.

During the procedure, we will place one or more implants in your jawbone, depending on the extent of your tooth loss. After the area heals and the implants fuse to your jawbone, which can take several months, we will capture digital impressions of your mouth that skilled lab technicians will use to custom-craft your implant restorations. Our high-quality restorations look and feel like natural teeth, enhancing your smile's health, function, and appearance.

Dental implants offer many long-term benefits, including the following:

• - They Look and Feel Natural: Dental implants closely mimic the appearance of your natural teeth. They are practically unnoticeable when you smile.
• - They Prevent Bone Loss: When one or more teeth are lost, the jawbone begins to resorb, leading to bone loss. Dental implants mimic the function of your natural tooth roots, preventing bone loss.
• - They Preserve Your Facial Structure: Tooth loss can lead to a sunken, sagging appearance over time. Dental implants stabilize your jawbone and support your facial structure, maintaining your natural contours.
• - They Offer Unmatched Stability: Dental implants integrate with the jawbone, providing exceptional stability. No more worrying about your replacement teeth slipping or shifting at the most awkward times.
• - They Restore Function: Missing teeth can interfere with your chewing function and clarity of speech. Dental implants act like natural teeth, allowing you to enjoy the foods you love, speak clearly, and smile confidently.
• - They Preserve Alignment: Dental implants prevent any remaining teeth from shifting out of place, helping preserve the alignment of your teeth and bite. They also rebalance the forces of your bite, lowering the risk of periodontal disease, uneven tooth wear, and stress on your jaw joints.
• - They Are Predictable and Durable: Dental implants have an incredibly high success rate. With meticulous home oral hygiene care and regular dental exams and cleanings, your dental implants can enhance your smile for decades to come.

Are There Any Considerations with Dental Implants?

Dental implants involve a longer process and a higher upfront cost than dentures. Moreover, successful placement requires adequate bone density, which may call for procedures like bone grafting. While the process is often lengthy, the superior results are permanent and often life-changing, making implants a sought-after restorative solution.

What Are Dentures?

Dentures are removable dental appliances that are custom-crafted to replace one, several, or a complete arch of teeth. Today's dentures are less intrusive and more comfortable, natural-looking, and functional than past ones. At Dental Care of Madison, we offer complete dentures for those missing a full arch of teeth and partial dentures for patients with some remaining healthy teeth.

The following are the denture options we offer:

• - Temporary Dentures: When facing tooth loss, there are various tooth replacement options to restore your complete smile. Temporary dentures serve as placeholders, ensuring you don't go without teeth while waiting for dental implants, bridges, or traditional dentures.
• - Immediate Complete Dentures: Immediate dentures are created in advance and inserted right after extracting any remaining teeth. However, as the area heals, the bone and ridge will change shape, so your dentures may need adjustments to continue providing a comfortable fit.
• - Traditional Complete Dentures: Traditional dentures are created from digital impressions of your mouth after your mouth has fully healed. These aesthetic restorations are custom-crafted using the latest technology and materials, enhancing the appearance and function of your smile.
• - Partial Dentures: Partial dentures are designed to fill gaps in your smile left by one or several teeth. They are ideal for patients with some healthy natural teeth remaining.

What Is the Denture Placement Process?

Your denture process begins with a thorough oral health evaluation and taking digital impressions of your mouth to create your custom-fitted dentures. When your new dentures are ready, we will ensure they provide a comfortable fit and optimal function. We will also provide detailed instructions on care and maintenance to ensure the longevity of your new replacement teeth.

Dentures offer many long-term benefits, including the following:

• - They Look Natural: Modern dentures are custom-crafted to closely resemble your natural teeth. They restore your complete smile, enhancing your facial aesthetics and your confidence.
• - They Enhance Your Smile's Function: Your new dentures will make it easier to enjoy more of your favorite foods. They also help you pronounce words more clearly and with greater confidence.
• - They Support Your Facial Structure: Your replacement teeth provide support for your facial muscles. They help prevent the sunken, prematurely aged appearance that often follows tooth loss.
• - They Are Cost-Effective: Dentures are the most cost-effective tooth replacement option. Moreover, they are covered by most dental insurance plans, offering an affordable solution to restore your smile.
• - They Are Durable: At Dental Care of Madison, we create custom dentures from high-quality materials. With proper care and maintenance, your replacement teeth have the potential to enhance your smile for many years to come.

Are There Any Considerations with Dentures?

While dentures continue to be reinvented and improved upon, they don't offer the stability, security, and function of dental implants. They may sometimes shift or slip out of place, especially when it comes to lower arch dentures. Dentures may require periodic adjustments, relining, or even replacement to continue providing the best possible function.

Dental Implants vs. Dentures: Which One’s Right for You?

The ideal tooth replacement solution will depend on your unique needs and goals for your smile. Our experienced dentists will outline your options and help you determine the tooth replacement solution that best meets your needs and preferences.

Dental Implants and Dentures in Madison, MS

If you would like to learn more about restoring your smile with dental implants or dentures, contact Dental Care of Madison to schedule a consultation. Our skilled and experienced dentists are happy to discuss your options and get you on track to a healthy, beautiful, and functional smile. Call us at (601) 898-9390 or request an appointment online today!