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Choosing Between Dental Implants And Partials

28 January 2015 by Julia Gregory

If you have missing teeth, they can cause a number of oral health problems. This is why it's so important to replace them as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the teeth you do have may shift their position to try to fill in the gaps, which could result in serious bite alignment problems. You may even have trouble chewing and speaking. If you want to replace one or several missing teeth, there are a number of options available. Two of the most commonly used are dental implants and partial dentures (also called partials). The following will help you compare these two options so you can make an informed decision about your dental health.

The Implant Option

If you're looking for a long-term and effective solution to the problem of missing teeth, dental implants might just be the answer you're looking for. There are three steps to the dental implant process:

1. The dentist will start by inserting a titanium implant into your jaw that will act as an artificial tooth root.
2. Next, an abutment (a post made of titanium) will be put in to connect the titanium implant in your jaw to your new prosthetic tooth.
3. Finally, the dentist will place a dental crown (the prosthetic tooth) onto the abutment.

Since dental implants are designed to be permanent, they will restore your teeth's functionality. Tough and long-lasting, dental implants can stand up to all the chewing and biting you're going to throw at them. They also look exactly like natural teeth.

The Partials Option

Partial dentures use one or more sets of false teeth in order to replace missing teeth. Partial dentures are often used for patients who are not suitable candidates for dental implants and whose teeth are not capable of supporting a dental bridge. With these partial dentures, false teeth are affixed to a plastic or metal framework that has fake gum tissue to make the dentures look more realistic. Partials grab onto your natural teeth and can be taken out for regular cleaning.

Pros and Cons of Both

When you're deciding between dental implants and partials, there are some key points you need to consider:

• Price: Partials are much less expensive than dental implants.
• Insurance Coverage: While most dental insurance plans will pay for partials, the vast majority will not pay for dental implants.
• Relative Durability: While partials are going to need to be occasionally altered and replaced from time to time, implants can last you the rest of your life.
• Overall Oral Health: Properly installed dental implants will prevent the gum tissue shrinkage and bone loss that you usually get with partials. This can help prevent any further tooth loss.
• Oral Hygiene: Dental implants can be brushed just like ordinary teeth, which means they are much easier to clean and maintain than partials.

For more information about dental health, contact Arapahoe Orthodontics P.C.

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