If you make it to the end of a long life with all of your original teeth still intact, you’re pretty lucky. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons estimates that 70% of American adults between the ages of 35-44 are missing at least one tooth because of gum disease, an accident, tooth decay, or dental fractures. Of course, dentistry has come a long way since George Washington and his wooden chompers. Nowadays, there are two popular options for restoring lost teeth: dentures and dental implants.
While both achieve the same effect (i.e., replace your missing teeth), there are some critical differences between them. Today we’re going to discuss in-depth what these differences are.
Dentures
Dentures have been around much longer than dental implants. Believe it or not, dentures have been around since the time of the Etruscans in 700 B.C., when ancient dentists fashioned dentures out of human and animal teeth. Surprisingly, this practice stuck for about a thousand years, when French dentists started making one-piece porcelain dentures.
Nowadays, dentures are made mostly from acrylic resin and come in both partial and complete versions. Some cities, like Jackson, WY, are popular places to get dentures. Partial dentures help fill in sections of missing teeth, while complete dentures are for people who have no original teeth. You can also choose between removable and fixed dentures. The former are dentures you can pop in and out of your mouth with ease, and usually, you’ll need to brush and clean them at night, just as you would your regular teeth. On the other hand, fixed dentures are precisely what they sound like: stable dentures fixed in your mouth. These kinds of dentures are usually held in place by dental implants.
Dental implants
Speaking of dental implants, these are another solution to replace missing teeth. Implants are surgically implanted into your jaw or gums and act as a sort of “anchor” for dental crowns. Of course, you’ll need to take care of your implants, just as you would your real teeth or dentures, and good oral hygiene can help your implants last up to 20 years.
While implants do cost more than dentures upfront, they are relatively easy to care for and don’t require any special treatment. If you’re considering getting dental implants, you’ll want to check with your dental insurance company first to see if they’ll cover the cost. Seeing as most companies don’t include these procedures, you’ll want to ask your dental office about payment plans or other financing options before you decide to get the procedure done.
It’s nice to live in an age where a missing tooth doesn’t mean a compromised smile for the rest of your days. Thanks to innovative dental technology like dentures and dental implants, you can still flash a gleaming smile and keep your secret all to yourself. If you’re lucky enough to live in Wyoming, you should know that you live in a state where dentures are most affordable. Consult your dentist today to see which options are best for you.