Implants vs. Dentures/Bridges

How Do Tooth Implants Compare to Dentures or Bridges?

Dentures vs Implants

Lower dentures don’t feel like natural teeth. As the lower gum tissue shrinks, they become loose fitting, which causes sores and pain. It is difficult to eat and talk with dentures the same way you did with your natural teeth, which can impact professional and social opportunities. Often denture wearers use messy adhesives to secure lower dentures to their gums.

Upper dentures are easier to wear because of suction along the roof of the mouth which helps keep the denture in place. But having the palate covered reduces the ability to taste food. Talking and chewing are still difficult, and slipping dentures may cause embarrassing clicking sounds while speaking and eating. Dentures need to be replaced every 7-15 years, which is inconvenient and expensive!

Dental tooth implants are a permanent solution to many of the disadvantages of dentures. Anchoring your dentures will vastly improve eating, speaking and smiling and we are excited to offer them at our Mountlake Terrace dentist office!

Bridges vs Implants

Many people with a missing tooth or group of missing teeth will opt for a fixed bridge. Wearing a dental bridge requires shaving off portions of neighboring teeth to anchor the bridge. The bridge might need to be replaced once, twice or more over the course of a lifetime, at additional cost.

Studies show that within 5-7 years, there is failure rate of up to 30% in teeth located next to a fixed bridge or a removable partial denture. In addition, bone loss occurs where teeth are missing.

Tooth implants do not injure healthy, adjacent teeth. Dental tooth implants also help maintain the strong underlying bone structure by stimulating the tissue and jawbone underneath the gum line.

There are many things to consider when comparing dental bridges vs implants or dentures vs implants and Seattle, WA dentist Dr. Nejad can help you make the choice that is best for you!