Denture Repair: Home Remedies and More

Have you recently lost one or more teeth?  If so, you may be trying to decide whether to opt for dentures or dental implants.  Here's a comparison to help you choose what's best for you.

Dentures

Dentures are basically removable false teeth.  Although their relatively low cost makes them a popular choice when it comes to replacing missing teeth, they do have many drawbacks.

Your dentures will be held in place using some kind of fixative, usually in the form of an adhesive paste.  Unfortunately, the bond between the dentures and the adhesive can become loose, allowing the dentures to move around.  This is not only uncomfortable; it can also be embarrassing for the wearer whilst eating or speaking.  Lower dentures tend to shift around more than upper ones, and this movement can irritate the gums and cause sores to form.

Dentures require daily cleaning to keep them hygienic and looking good, and they must be removed at night when you go to bed.  Eventually, your dentures will require replacement.  This means that you'll incur the expense of dental visits in order to have your new dentures fitted, as well as the cost of the new dentures themselves.

Dental implants

A more modern alternative to dentures are dental implants.  Unlike dentures, implants are securely fixed into your gum or jaw to act as an anchor for a permanent dental crown.  Consequently, implants are very strong and wearers don't suffer the annoying movement that's often encountered with dentures. 

Cleaning your implants is just like cleaning your existing teeth.  You don't have to remove them – simply brush and floss as you would do normally.  They stay in your mouth permanently and look much more like real teeth than dentures do.  Dental implants don't need replacing like dentures do, so you won't incur any further cost once they've been fitted.

Because dental implants are anchored into the jawbone, they help to protect the wearer's gums and jaw from the deterioration that can cause facial collapse, or recession of the jawbone.  This means that you won't suffer from the sunken mouth appearance than can sometimes affect denture-wearers.

Undoubtedly, dental implants have many advantages over dentures.  However, one drawback is that they are considerably more expensive.  When weighing-up cost against convenience and comfort however, dental implants will always come out on top.

In conclusion

If you have missing teeth, you'll need to decide whether to opt for dentures or dental implants.  Have a chat with your dentist at a place like Kelmscott Dental to discuss the best choice for you.