If you’ve been missing teeth due to an injury or disease, the dental industry has two great solutions to replacing them: denture implants and dental implants. Both provide a comfortable and natural-looking alternative to having missing teeth. With denture implants, a full set of dentures are attached to four dental implants in the jawbone, providing a secure and stable fit with improved chewing and speaking abilities.
With dental implants, one or more individual implants are inserted into the jawbone to support each individual missing tooth, providing a stunning and natural-looking finish that blends in seamlessly with your existing teeth. A dental implant offers a strong and stable base for the denture or artificial tooth without damaging the surrounding teeth, so it’s the best replacement for natural teeth.
Either way, you’ll be able to smile with confidence and enjoy a healthier bite. If you want to replace missing teeth, you need to consider your options carefully. Are you missing one or more teeth? Do you want to preserve your remaining natural teeth? Based on these questions, your dentist will determine if you’re a better candidate for denture implants, dental implants, or traditional dentures to replace missing teeth.
VIP Dental Implants is a state-of-the-art dental clinic specializing in dental implant surgery and dental implant procedures to replace missing teeth. We find the most effective and convenient solution to replace a missing tooth without damaging your own teeth. You can find our dental clinics for dental implants in Uptown Houston or Midtown Houston. Our denture implant clinic is at 2400 Mid Ln. #350c, Houston, so please schedule an appointment to learn more about your dental implant options.
Solution #1: Traditional Dentures
Traditional dentures are the most cost-effective solution for replacing missing teeth. They are a set of artificial teeth that fit directly over your gums. Old-fashioned dentures are made from acrylic and can be very bulky, making it hard to eat and talk. But now, complete dentures are made from realistic looking materials, allowing for a more natural appearance and comfortable fit. However, dentures aren’t ideal for replacing teeth because they don’t support or replace the tooth roots, so you will eventually suffer from jawbone resorption, and the false teeth can never look and feel just like natural teeth.
Solution #2: Dental Implants
A dental implant is a small screw-like post made from titanium or ceramic that is surgically placed into the jawbone. The post acts as a tooth root for an artificial tooth which is then attached to the implant. Dental implants are an increasingly popular choice for replacing missing teeth because of their realistic look and feel. Dental implants essentially replace the tooth roots of your natural teeth, thus offering a stable base for the fake teeth or artificial teeth. The procedure is permanent but costs more than conventional dentures. The risk of dental implant failure is negligible, especially if you maintain good oral hygiene. You can get dental implants to replace one tooth, several teeth, or even all teeth.
Solution #3: Implant-Supported Dentures (Implant Dentures)
Implant-supported dentures, also known as implant dentures or all-on-four implants, are the perfect mix between dental implants and traditional dentures. They offer a more secure, comfortable fit compared to traditional dentures and cost less than full dental implants. The procedure involves placing four dental implants in strategic locations on the jawbone, following which a complete denture is attached to the dental implants. This is the ideal solution for missing teeth for edentulous patients, i.e., those missing all or most of their teeth. Dental implant experts agree that this is the most realistic solution for missing teeth.
FAQs About Dental Implant Treatments
Which teeth replacement option is most like natural teeth?
When it comes to replacing lost or damaged teeth, choosing a replacement option that is most like actual teeth can be tricky. Fortunately, dental implants and denture implants provide an option that closely mimics teeth in terms of size, shape, look, and feel. Dental implants are rooted directly into the jawbone, providing the closest approximation to real teeth. Denture implants also allow you to replace all of your missing teeth without making it seem like you wear dentures. Furthermore, denture implants also support your surrounding bone and prevent jawbone resorption. If you want a denture implant, talk to your dental implant expert.
What happens during dental implant surgery?
Dental implant surgery is a popular procedure for repairing damaged teeth and restoring the function and aesthetics of your smile. The surgery involves placing tiny titanium or ceramic posts, known as dental implants, into the jawbone to act as tooth roots, and then attaching crowns, bridges, or dentures to them for a secure, permanent solution.
The first step in your dental implant surgery is the placement of the implant itself. During this procedure, your dentist will make a small incision in your gum and drill a small hole into the jawbone to place the implants. The hole will then be filled with a special material to start the healing process. After the implant is placed, you will have to wait several months for the gum tissue and bone to heal and fuse to the implant.
Once the healing process is complete, your dentist will prepare the surface of the implant to receive the new topping, or the crown. This typically involves abrading the surface of the implant and then attaching the crown or bridge. Some types of crowns may require a screw to attach the crown to the implant. Implant-supported crowns, bridges, and dentures look completely natural. In fact, implant-supported dentures allow you to replace all of your missing teeth in the upper jaw, lower jaw, or both.
Dental implant surgery is a relatively simple process, but it is very important to carefully follow your dentist’s post-operative instructions. In the weeks and months following the surgery, it is important to practice good dental hygiene and visit the dentist for follow-up appointments. By doing so, you can enjoy the results of your dental implants for many years to come.
