Dentures vs. Dental Implants: Which is Right for You?
Tooth loss doesn’t just impact aesthetics; it also has significant effects on your overall oral health.
If you’re in need of a traditional denture or partial, you’re not alone. Just in the United States, over 36 million people don’t have any teeth and 120 million have lost at least one tooth. Although patients can choose other missing tooth solutions like dental implants, dentures and partials are still the most well-known (and most asked for) option. At Stanley Dentistry in Cary, North Carolina, fitting patients with dentures or partials is easily one of our most popular services.
If you would like to invest in a denture or your current denture is damaged in some way, set up an appointment today.
Dentures are realistic man-made replacements for those with a full mouth of missing teeth. They’re typically made of prefabricated acrylic and can come in a variety of different shapes, shades, and sizes depending on the patient’s preferences.
To make dentures and partials as comfortable as possible, we custom-fit the base of the denture to each patient’s unique gum tissue. This naturally helps keep slipping to a minimum. The patient can then use a temporary adhesive to fix the denture to the gums. Once in place, the dentures look and act like regular teeth.
Living with limited chewing capacity isn’t easy. Eating isn’t just how we survive — it’s also how we socialize. If you’re struggling to eat or talk because of tooth loss, you’re missing out on an important aspect of life. Luckily there’s an easy and affordable solution: dentures.
Dentures have helped millions of people regain their love of food and socializing. Along with functionality, the natural look of dentures gives patients a huge self-confidence boost. In just a few appointments, patients can go from having no smile to having a perfect one!
For patients only missing some of their teeth, we offer a more practical option: partials. A dental partial is a prosthetic that replaces the function and appearance of a few missing teeth. Partials are designed specifically for each patient and come in different designs depending on which missing teeth they are replacing.
Unlike a fixed bridge, partials operate like dentures in that patients can put them in and take them out easily. This also means they come with some needed maintenance. Cleaning partials and dentures is a required step in keeping them looking good and working properly for years to come.
With the right care, dentures can last several years. Our doctors recommend getting new dentures every five to eight years, depending on your unique circumstances. Over time, dentures naturally become worn down from chewing.
Sometimes, patients want new dentures because their gums have changed slightly, making their dentures uncomfortable or unwearable. If you wear dentures, it’s best to come into the Stanley Dentistry office in Cary, NC at least once a year so our doctors can take a look at how your dentures are sitting on your gums.
The entire process of getting dentures takes three to four weeks on average. After your consultation, our doctors will take molds of your mouth in order to create your custom denture. If you still have teeth remaining that need to be removed, a doctor will extract the teeth before placing the denture.
There are a few things you should consider before you make the decision to get partials or dentures. It’s important to remember that dentures and partials cannot be worn all the time. Patients must take their dentures out at night and place them in a cleaning solution. Denture wearers also have to consider what they can and can’t eat. Things like apples and sticky foods are typically off-limits since they disrupt the adhesive that keeps the dentures in place. For some patients, this isn’t a problem but for others, they want a more permanent and stress-free solution.
This is where dental implants come in. Stanley Dentistry in Cary, NC is a national leader in dental implants. We pride ourselves on using the safest, most innovative techniques in the industry. Whether you’re missing a few teeth or all of your teeth, dental implants can give you the smile of your dreams without the hassle of dentures or partials.
Set up a consultation to find out whether dentures or dental implants are right for you.
We don’t want to toot our own horn, but we are proud of our reputation. We feel that it is a reflection of the hard work and dedication we have committed to our profession, as well as a representation of the passion we have for providing exceptional care to our patients. At Stanley Dentistry, our goal is to earn our patient’s trust and loyalty.
We’re honored to have been awarded 22 best dentist awards by the Triangle community. From the Western Wake County Maggy Awards to the News and Observers Raleigh’s Best, our patients have been vocal in their support!
The first step on your journey to exceptional dental care is for us to learn more about your specific needs.
Tell us about your dental needs!