Uptown Charlotte Dentist
Dental Bridges versus Dental Implants

Tooth Restoration Options In Charlotte NC

Restoring missing teeth is of prime importance as it could avoi several potential oral issues. This is why dentists suggest their patients get them replaced as soon as possible using an implant. However, when it comes to tooth replacements, a lot of debate goes on regarding which is the better solution: dentures or implants? Well, here are some of the facts lined up before you so that you can get a clearer idea about which one to choose.

Removability: Implants are fused to the jawbone and, hence, are non-removable. Dentures are a set of prosthetic teeth that can be put on and removed whenever required.
Strength: Since an implant is made from Titanium, it is very strong and durable. It exhibits higher levels of stability and firmness, which is why it is regarded as one of the strongest tooth replacement solutions. Dentures, however, are made from acrylic and ceramic (gums and teeth respectively). This makes them comparatively less stronger.
Stability: Dental implants are anchored into the jawbone, which is why they are highly stable. They wouldn’t move or drift from their positions even when pressure is applied on them or upon biting and chewing hard foods. Dentures are simply placed in the mouth and held in place by the gums. They often tend to slip off and hence, aren’t really stable.
Aesthetics: When it comes to oral appearance, both implants and dentures hold their respective ends pretty well. Both are composed of dental grade ceramic teeth that look exactly like natural ones. Dentures also have prosthetic gums made from acrylic, which makes them more visually pleasing.
Jawbone health: When a tooth is extracted, small portions of the jawbone will also be removed along with it. This can initiate wear of the jawbone, or in other words, jawbone deterioration. In some cases, leaving the gap as it is can lead to shrinkage of the jawbone as well. Dental implants prevent jawbone deterioration or shrinkage as they fill the gap where the tooth root existed. But, in the case of dentures, the prosthetic teeth do not replace the teeth roots and hence, the jawbone health would deteriorate over time.
Longevity: Dental implants are known to last for several years with proper care. Dentures do last long, but in comparison to implants, they fall short.
Cleaning: Cleaning an implant is simple and can be done just like brushing and flossing the natural teeth. Dentures will have to be taken out and cleaned using a special dentures cleaning solution.