If you have lost teeth, you may be self-conscious or embarrassed when you smile. Missing teeth can also cause difficulty pronouncing certain words or chewing. Getting dental implants or dentures is a good option for this problem.
Dental Implants
These are teeth replacements that are surgically inserted into the jawbone. The implants are suitable for replacing one or two missing teeth, although, two or more implants can as well serve as a foot for holding several replacement teeth. A dental implant is:
• comfortable
• strong
• give you a feeling of natural teeth
• require less maintenance
Again, they are firmly fixed, meaning:
• they don’t slip
• are long-lasting
• prevent bone and gum deterioration thereby stopping jaw-bone recession and facial collapse.
Placing and Healing
Initially, the process would take 1-8 months from the implant placing until when it recovers fully. At the first stage of your visit, the specialist will put an implant beneath the gum tissue. You will then be allowed several months for the implant to attach to the gum and bond with the bone. On the second stage of the surgery, your dentist will attach a special post called an abutment to connect the implant to the replacement tooth. If you are replacing several missing teeth, the dentist will attach a bridge that is then held firmly by dental implants on either side of the missing teeth.
Caring
Just like your natural teeth, implants require regular brushing and flossing to avoid dental conditions such as peri-implantitis and gum disease. You will also need periodic check-ups with your dentist to ensure your gums are healthy, and the implants are functioning properly. Though not common, sometimes the screws attached to the implants may loosen with time. This will require you visit your dentist to replace or re-tighten the screws. If you look after your implants well, they are likely to last for up to 20 years.
Dentures
These are removable artificial teeth mainly curved from ivory and bones, and have long served as a replacement for missing teeth. They are held in place with a special fixative. A denture sometimes slips around and may cause discomfort while speaking or eating. A partial denture can be fixed when one or more teeth have remained in its natural place. Moreover, they require thorough maintenance.
Cost
A single implant can cost from around $1,000-$4,000. There are other additional charges that you may incur such as X-ray and bone grafting costs, making the total be roughly $4,000-$10,000. Dentures are a great option to implants when it comes to comparing their costs as they cost around $300-$4,000.
With the improved technology and the tooth surface characteristics, there are acid-etched sandblasted, nano-tech surfaces that make the implants attach easily but firmly to the bone. This means that your implants will withstand greater biting forces for chewing, heal much faster, and look as good as natural teeth.
