The problem of missing teeth is one shared by many Australians. Our Institute of Health and Welfare reports that the average adult has four to five missing teeth, and as we age, the potential for losing more teeth only increases. The same study shows that six in ten Australians over 75 have moderate to severe gum disease, which is a leading cause of tooth loss.
These statistics indicate an ever-increasing need for teeth replacements in Garran, Canberra and beyond. At Telopea Park Dental, our experienced team provides essential dental services without anything extraneous or unnecessary. This approach positions us ideally to help you choose from the currently available teeth replacement options.
Two of the leading choices you have are dentures and dental implants. While dentures have the most history, dental implants are relative newcomers. But when these two face off in the ring, only one emerges as a clear winner, especially when considering fit, health and longevity.
How Dentures Replace Teeth in Garran
Most people are familiar with the old-school false teeth our parents or grandparents may have used. Complete dentures have come a long way in materials and appearance, but they still work essentially the same as they have for decades. They rest on your gums, finding a bond by suction in the case of your upper teeth, or holding against the bony ridge of your jaw for lower teeth.
Dentures are removable for storage while you sleep and for cleaning. For the most part, dentists make this tooth replacement appliance from acrylic plastic, which is malleable, more comfortable and natural appearing than past options.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants represent a fundamentally different approach to teeth replacement compared to dentures. Rather than resting on your gums, dental implants find their connection via an artificial tooth root which an implant dentist surgically places in our jawbone. This portion, which resembles a thin screw, integrates with your bone during the healing process, called osseointegration. When complete, your implant and bone will be inseparable.
On top of your artificial root, we may connect one of many restoration devices. For example, if you're replacing a single tooth, we will attach a dental crown. We design this ceramic cap to look just like the tooth it replaces. But for multiple teeth replacement, we may strategically place various dental implants to support a fixed dental bridge or other restoration.
Fit – Advantage Dental Implant
The first area where we compare dentures and dental implants is their fit. When performing their primary function – chewing – your teeth need stability, so they don't slip and cause friction against your gums. The problem with dentures is that changes in your mouth will always compromise their fit, and without natural teeth, your mouth will change more frequently. Ill-fitting dentures require a procedure called relining that adjusts their shape.
Dental implants don't rely on the shape of your mouth that exists at any particular point in time. Instead, because they are anchored in your jawbone, they resist the same mouth structure changes that dentures actually allow to transpire. The reason for this is the relationship between intact teeth and jawbone health.
Chewing Pressure Promotes Bone Regeneration
Your bones share one quality with your muscles; the more you use them, the stronger they become. Your jawbone is no exception. Chewing pressure, conducted through your tooth roots, maintains a healthy jaw. This stress stimulates your bone to add new tissue and remain robust.
If you use complete dentures, the fact that they sit on top of your gums means chewing pressure is distributed over your soft tissues without finding its way to the bone. Without this use, your jawbone will naturally diminish, which is the primary driver of the changes that cause dentures to no longer fit correctly.
Tooth Implant Longevity Strikes a Denture Knock-out
The final comparison is whether dentures last longer than dental implants. In this regard, there is no contest. Dental implants are the current leader in endurance, and the statistics support that position. In addition, a fully healed artificial tooth root is permanent, though the dental crown or other restoration that finishes the implant may last between 15 and 20 years.
On the other hand, dentures have an average lifespan of eight to ten years. Researchers also found that dentures wear out, so the longer you use them, the more likely they are to lose their effectiveness.
Dental Implant Dentist in Garran, ACT
Dentures have several disadvantages compared to dental implants, including instability, poor fit, and reduced bone health. They also don't last as long. At each turn, dental implants score points against dentures, and for fundamental reasons. The best teeth are your natural teeth, but dental implants are a close second.
Dental implants may be your best option if you're among the Australians in Garran who are tired of living with missing teeth. Our team of dental professionals can help determine your candidacy for dental implants and help you on your way to restoring your mouth's full functionality.