Tooth loss is a game-changing experience. It impacts the ability to speak, smile, bite, and chew confidently. Fortunately, sufferers of tooth loss have various effective long-term options for restoring the form, function, and appearance of their smiles and bites.
Today, we’re delving into partial dentures and dental implants to understand what each entails and help anyone seeking a long-term tooth replacement solution make an informed decision that suits their needs.
What Are Partial Dentures?
Dentures are removable prosthetic devices designed to replace missing teeth and the gum tissue surrounding them. Dentures are popular among patients who, due to untreated decay, trauma, or the effects of aging, have lost some or all of their teeth. Each set of dentures is custom-made, usually out of natural-looking porcelain, for the patient for whom it’s intended.
Partial dentures, which are recommended in cases where a few teeth are missing, attach to the natural teeth adjacent to the space vacated by tooth loss via clasps. Like their mouthpiece-like complete counterparts, “partials” are removable, and the process they’re fitted is non-invasive.
What Is A Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a small, usually titanium peg implanted into the vacated socket in a patient’s jaw at the site of a missing tooth. Once an implant is surgically implanted, it fuses permanently with the jawbone in a process called "osseointegration." When this process is complete, the implant creates a new, permanent root that functions exactly like a natural tooth root and creates an anchoring point for an above-the-gum replacement like a dental crown.
How To Choose Between Partial Dentures and Dental Implants?
Given their effectiveness, high success rate, incredible longevity, and the fact that they address tooth loss both above and below the gumline, dental implants are widely regarded as the top tooth-loss solution.
However, in cases where a patient’s jawbone isn’t healthy enough to support a dental implant, partial dentures have a lengthy track record as an outstanding solution.
The best option for each individual depends on a variety of factors, including dental health, jawbone health, budget, and personal preference. It's important to consult with your dentist to ensure that you choose the solution that’s most appropriate for you.
Partial Dentures in Winston-Salem, NC
If you’re looking for a dentist in Winston-Salem to expertly guide you through the “partial dentures vs. dental implants” decision and provide you with top-quality care in either scenario, contact dentist Dr. Jeffrey Tibbs and the Tibbs Dental team to schedule a consultation!