Missing teeth can really… gum up your smile. In fact, few oral and dental problems make people more insecure than missing teeth. Even if you had a garlic bread lunch with an onion side salad, you could still pose for a picture beaming from ear to ear—after all, cameras don’t have noses. But they do have lenses. And the ability to zoom in on the gaps where your pearly whites used to be.
Terrifying as those toothless photographs might seem to you, missing teeth present more than just cosmetic issues. They can also put your oral health at risk and leave you more susceptible to gum disease.
The good news is that replacing missing teeth has never been easier to do than it is today. No wooden teeth here. However, with all of the tooth replacement options available, it can be difficult to know which option will give you the biggest, brightest, and most camera-worthy smile. Dentures, full dentures, partial dentures, removable partial dentures, crown bridges, implants, and the list goes on.
If you’re currently on a mission to restore your smile, it’s important to remember that the first and last step on your journey should be to consult your dentist. Nevertheless, you’ll want to explore some of the tooth replacement options available to you on your own so that you can better understand what you’re most comfortable with.
On your journey to a restored smile, you’ll likely come across one major fork in the road: implants or dentures? Ultimately, the decision will be up to you and your trusted dental care professional but perhaps we can shed some light on the paths ahead.
Dentures
We know what you’re thinking: “Dentures are for old people. And I might be 95, but I’m not old.” Well, on the one hand, you’re right. Age is just a number and you’re as young as you feel. On the other hand, we promise you that this solution to missing teeth is for anyone who needs it, regardless of what their number is.
As far as replacement teeth go, dentures are among the most affordable options, especially if you have to replace entire rows of teeth. And the simplicity of dentures offers more benefits than cost alone.
For those with weakened jawbones and/or weakened gum tissue, dentures present a ready solution. Other, more invasive types of tooth replacement, require the overall structure of the jaw and face to be strong and uncompromised. For those whose missing teeth are a symptom of a jaw and/or bone defect, dentures can be the right fit. And speaking of fit…
Dentures have the added benefit of being removable and adjustable. You can try out a set before deciding that you want to stick with them or opt for a set of permanent dentures. Furthermore, your dentist can make fine adjustments to your false teeth to ensure that they fit just right. And in the event that you damage your dentures while testing out their strength on a gobstopper, your dentist can easily repair or replace them.
But this tooth replacement solution isn’t without some fallbacks. Without the added use of an adhesive, dentures can come loose at the most inopportune of times. And patients with poorly-fitted dentures can experience soreness in their gums, altered speech, and even loss of taste.
Nevertheless, there are as many types of dentures as there are alternatives to them. Get in touch with a member of the Dawson Dental Hanover team today to learn more about your options.
Dental Implants
Once again, we know what you’re thinking: “You’re not coming anywhere near my jawbone with that drill.” But hear us out.
Dental implants offer a more permanent solution to missing teeth and can last a lifetime if treated properly. You have been brushing and flossing twice a day, haven’t you? Furthermore, implants look more like your natural teeth than other replacement options and help to support the structure of your jaw and face. For all intents and purposes, they might as well be the natural teeth that you’re replacing.
But all of those benefits come at a cost. Dental implants are more expensive than just about any other type of tooth replacement. Here in Ontario, the province does not cover the cost of most oral and dental-related health issues except in rare circumstances. Nevertheless, if your heart—and gums—are set on implants, Dawson Dental Hanover offers some of the best financing options available.
If you’re still cringing at the idea of a dental surgeon drilling into your jawbone—it’s not nearly as bad as it sounds—you’ll be happy to know that we also offer sedation dentistry services. One minute, you’re counting down from ten with a mouth full of gums and the next thing you know, you’re waking up with a smile brighter than a camera flash.
Talk to Your Dentist
Now that you know a little bit more about the pros and cons of dentures and dental implants, you can consult with your dentist from an informed perspective. Whichever fork in the road you choose, a healthier and brighter smile awaits you at the end of your journey. Book your appointment with Dawson Dental Hanover today, we’d love to be a part of restoring your smile.