A few of us will be fortunate and make it through life with a full set of 32 teeth. Most of us will be missing one or many teeth owing to tooth decay, gum disease, or an injury. How did our forefathers replace missing teeth?  They used dentures made of rare hippopotamus ivory, human bone, and metal. Fortunately, we have advanced and have way better options available today.

In the opinion of the best dentists in Mumbai, your solution to missing teeth includes dentures and dental implants. How can you know which is right for you? There are lots of factors to consider- the price, ease, longevity, maintenance, and looks. We’ll make it simple for you by breaking things down so you don’t have to. Here’s everything you need to know about dentures vs dental implants.

Why are dental implants or dentures necessary?

Let’s look at whether they are really necessary before taking the plunge and deciding between the two. Missing teeth lead to a loss of confidence. If that’s not a big enough reason for you to replace missing teeth, go through the following reasons as claimed by the best dentists in Mumbai-

1. Exposed gums can house food and bacteria causing gum disease which can further worsen heart disease and diabetes.
2. Missing teeth affect your jaw and face as well. Your cheeks can give a sunken appearance making you look older.
3. When your missing tooth’s next-door neighbors get some space around them, they move towards it trying to close the gap. As teeth move, your supporting jawbone also joins in shifting over time. This renders your mouth structures unstable.

So, missing teeth replacement is necessary. Now, let’s try and understand which type of replacement is best for you.

What are dentures?

Pros of dentures

• Dentures are less expensive compared to implants especially if many teeth need replacement.
• Dentures are possible sooner after extraction than implants.
• The clinical procedures required to make dentures are relatively less invasive compared to implants.
• This procedure is also very quick and requires only 4-5 sittings.

Cons of dentures 

• Denture technology has improved manifold, but some say that they still don’t look or feel as natural as implants. 
• Dentures don’t last as long as implants as they have to be adjusted and repaired based on changes in the gums and face with age. 
• Dentures do not let you enjoy all your favorite food.
• Removable dentures are unable to provide adequate support to your jaw as implants can. They also won’t support your mouth.

Who is suitable for dentures?

The best dentists in Mumbai claim that dentures can be worn at all ages, not just by senior citizens. Dentures are the only option for you if you cannot be a candidate for implants due to medical reasons.

What are Dental Implants?

Pros of dental implants 

• Dental Implants look, feel and function just like your God- given natural teeth. 
• You don’t have to give up your favourite food and drink. 
• If you take good care of your implants, they can last longer than dentures, sometimes for decades.
• Dental implants have a 95% success rate!
• Implants preserve the integrity of your facial structure and jaw bones.

Cons of dental implants

•  Looking at the expenditure, implants will cost you more than dentures (although they usually last longer). 
• The procedure for placing an implant involves minor surgery.
• Dental Implants need healthy bones and gums to secure properly to the jaw, therefore, everybody is not a good candidate for implants.
• In case your bone is too small to support an implant,  bone grafting will be required, further increasing the cost.
• Dental implants take 3 months to osseointegrate  (bond) to the bone, thus, they involve more appointments and waiting time compared to dentures.

Final thoughts

Though implants are more expensive, they could last a lifetime. A dental implant is a once in a lifetime solution, to regain your ability to eat, speak and smile, just the way you did before you lost your teeth. If you look carefully at all of your options to replace your missing teeth and consider your priorities, you will surely be able to make a final decision with confidence. The Dental Bond is a specialized/exclusive dental implant centre situated in Mumbai, India. You should make the choice between dentures or implants carefully and in consultation with your dentist.