Should I get dental implants or dentures in Virginia Beach?
If you have missing teeth, your replacement options can seem overwhelming at first. Weighing the pros and cons of each choice is an essential step in figuring out which one is the best option for you. Fortunately, Dr. Cappy Sinclair and Dr. Mark Reichley are here to help with this challenging decision. Our dentists are passionate about finding the right option that fits each unique patient.
For patients missing many or up to all of their teeth, Coastal Cosmetic and Implant Dentistry offers dentures and dental implants in Virginia Beach, VA. For many years, dentures have been the go-to teeth replacement option.
Although with advances in dental technology, dental implants have become the number one solution for patients with any number of missing teeth. Our Virginia Beach dentist office has advanced 3D imaging software to aid in the planning and precise placement of the implants.
Dental Implants vs. Dentures
Dentures are custom artificial teeth. A dentist creates them in a dental laboratory with impressions of your mouth and teeth. Our dentist provides complete dentures when the patient is missing all of their teeth, and partial dentures to fill in the gaps of a row of missing teeth.
Complete dentures consist of a plastic base that we colored-match to blend in with the gums. The artificial teeth attach to this base and stay in place when the base forms a suction and seal with the gums. Partial dentures can be either a plastic base or metal framework. They stay in place with clasps and rest around the remaining teeth.
Dental implants are metal posts that a dentist or oral surgeon surgically places into the jawbone. They consist of titanium, a material that the human body accepts. Dental implants permanently sit just below the gum line. Implants will act as replacement tooth roots to support the jaw bone structure, and create a strong foundation for implant-supported dentures.
What are the Pros and Cons of Dentures?
Pros:
- Will hold the shape of the face, avoiding the sunken-in look
- The patient will be able to eat and speak better than when they had no/fewer teeth
- Inexpensive option to replace teeth
- The process to get them is fairly quick
- You do not need surgery to get dentures
Cons:
- Will not replace teeth at the root
- The patient will slowly suffer from bone loss
- You will need to adjust, rebase, or replace dentures over time
- Ill-fitting dentures can cause infections
- Diet restrictions make it difficult to consume a healthy diet
- It will take some time to adjust to them
- Dentures can slip around in the mouth, causing slurred speech and difficulty eating
- It may require adhesive to stay in place
What are the Pros and Cons of Dental Implants?
Pros:
- High success rate
- Prevent bone loss because they replace teeth at the root
- Will permanently hold the shape of the face, avoiding the sunken-in look
- Very durable and stable; will not slip around in the mouth and there are very few food restrictions
- Allow for better speech
- Implant restorations look and feel like natural teeth
- If cared for properly, they can last a lifetime
- Much more convenient and easier to care for
- Gives the patient an overall higher self-esteem
Cons:
- Involves one or more surgical procedures
- Dental implants come with a high price tag
- Treatment time can take four to nine months, sometimes longer
Dentures are often a cheaper alternative to dental implants. However, they usually don’t last as long and can be uncomfortable. Dentures can also cause speech impediments, while dental implants do not. Dental implants are more expensive than dentures, but they can last a lifetime and can improve oral health. They also provide better chewing function and help with speech impediments.
To learn more about our dental implant services, see: