Not having a complete set of teeth can not only cause problems with eating and increase your risk of an oral infections, it can also adversely affect your self-esteem. You may well feel self-conscious about talking, smiling and laughing. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to solve the problem. Dental implants and dentures are the most common solutions, but which one is better, and why?
Dentures are removable false teeth usually made of acrylic, and you can have either a complete set, or a partial set if you have several viable remaining teeth. Dentures have actually been around for a very long time in some. Early humans in Italy used animal or human teeth as dentures. Thankfully, far more sophisticated methods have been developed over time over time.
The main advantage dentures have over implant is they are much easier to fit and considerably less expensive. The downside is that they can be uncomfortable, and in some instances slip out when eating or even speaking due to the ineffective denture adhesive, which can be embarrassing. Dentures also need to be regularly and very thoroughly cleaned externally as they can otherwise lead to infections or decay of the remaining natural teeth.
Dental implants are permanent replacements typically made from titanium alloys and surgically fixed into to the bone of the jaw. Dental implants offer a more natural-looking and permanent solution, they are more comfortable than dentures and far easier to clean as you simply brush your teeth as you would with the real thing. Dental implants do involve a surgical procedure done with local anaesthetic that can cause some discomfort and swelling for several days or even weeks afterwards.
The other major disadvantage of course is the considerably greater cost that implants represent. Dentures will typically cost between £500 and £1500, whereas the average cost of dental implants in the UK is £10,000, with some people spending more depending on the amount of teeth that need replacing. There are very likely a number of payment plan options available to you with many cosmetic dentists, but any financial borrowing of this scale should be considered carefully.
There are clearly pros and cons to both choices. If you want a more affordable solution that doesn’t involve surgery, dentures are best. However, if dental implants are financially viable for you they are clearly the better option in terms of appearance, comfort, and general health. If you decide the dental implants are the right option for you, be sure to find a very experienced dentist who specialises in this area of cosmetic dentistry. According to Regency House, a trusted dentist in Cheltenham, the first step is to have a no obligation consultation so that You are unique situation can be assessed, and you know what it entails to fix your dental issues and make the right decision.
Whatever solution you ultimately decide on, be sure to take care of your dentures or implants, consider dental insurance, and no matter what, make regular trips to a good dentist.
