If you’re missing a few teeth in Fort Mill, you may not be sure if a partial denture is right for you, or if you should get one or more single-tooth dental implants from Dr. Leah Luck. In this blog, the Fort Mill dental implant team at Luck Family Dental will take a look at a few pros and cons of each treatment, and help you learn more about them.
The Pros & Cons Of Dental Implants
Dental implants use a two-part design, with an implant that’s surgically placed into your jaw, and a restoration (like a dental crown) that attaches to the implant to restore your smile. Let’s take a look at a few pros and cons now.
PROS
- Long-lasting – Dental implants can easily last 30+ years with proper care, making them a great long-term investment.
- Will never shift or move – Your implant will be securely anchored to your jaw bone, and it will never move or shift when you eat, speak, or chew.
- Looks and feels completely natural – To others, your implant will look just like a real tooth. In addition, you can care for a single-tooth implant just like a natural tooth with regular brushing and flossing, and six-month visits to Luck Family Dental.
CONS
- High up-front cost – Dental implants are a more expensive option, and usually are not covered by insurance.
- Requires invasive surgery – You will need to have surgery to get the implant placed into your jaw and gum tissue, which some patients may prefer to avoid.
- Lengthy treatment time – It can take up to 6 months or longer to get a dental implant, which may not be ideal for some patients.
The Pros & Cons Of Partial Dentures
A partial denture uses an acrylic and metal base that clips onto your healthy teeth, replacing one or more missing teeth with false teeth and restoring your smile. Here are the pros and cons of partial dentures.
PROS
- Fast treatment time – You can usually get a partial denture built within 2-4 weeks of your initial appointment, so you can restore your smile quickly.
- Low cost, covered by insurance – Partial dentures are usually the cheapest way to restore missing teeth, and are covered by most insurance policies.
- Can replace multiple teeth at once – A single partial denture can be made to replace multiple teeth, making this type of denture very cost-effective if you’re missing more than one tooth.
CONS
- Shorter lifespan – Though they are inexpensive, partial dentures must be replaced often, usually every 5-7 years.
- Doesn’t support jaw bone health – Dental implants stimulate your jaw bone just like a natural tooth, keeping it strong and preventing bone loss. Partial dentures don’t do this, so your jaw bone may weaken after tooth loss, even if you restore your smile with a partial denture.
- Takes time to get used to – Partial dentures may not feel natural at first. It may take several weeks or months for you to feel comfortable with your partial dentures.
Get Help Choosing The Right Treatment – Contact Us For An Appointment Now!
Still not sure which method of smile restoration is right for you? Contact Luck Family Dental online or give us a call at (803)-760-7860 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Leah Luck, and explore your options for replacing missing teeth in further detail. We’re always here to help you make the right choice based on your oral health and your budget.
