Should I Get Dental Implants or False Teeth?
Dental implants are a more long-lasting and natural-feeling type of dental work that also supports the jawbone, however, they cost more and the treatment takes longer, while dentures are less costly and can be obtained quickly, but they may move, need to be taken off at night for cleaning, and do not help bone loss.
1. Dental implants are basically small titanium posts that get inserted in your jawbone and act as new roots which then hold on to crowns, bridges or full sets of teeth. They are permanent, give a feeling that is very close to natural teeth and help your jawbone stay healthy, but the whole thing takes time, involves a few months, a surgery and usually more money at once.
2. False teeth (dentures) are the removable artificial teeth on a plate that go either on your gums or are clipped to the remaining teeth of your mouth. They are non‑surgical, quicker and usually cheaper are often available at a banded fee, but they do not stop bone loss and hence, may require frequent adjustments and replacement.
Implants are generally the better option if you are in good health, want a permanent-feeling solution and are ready to pay more for the long term. If you want a quick, low-cost, non‑surgical option or if your health condition makes surgery risky, then good-fitting dentures can still do a great job of restoring your smile.
Who are usually dental implants more effective?
If any or some of the following conditions are met, then most probably dental implants will be a better solution for you:
1. Local minor surgery does not create a problem for your body. Implants are generally safe and a good solution for most adults, however, in cases of heavy smoking, radiotherapy after effects on the jaw and poorly controlled diabetes until the condition is stabilized, they may be contraindicated.
2. You either possess healthy enough natural jawbone or can be grafted later on. Implants are fixed in bone and thus require a certain bone volume; if insufficient bone is present, then grafting or zygomatic implants as well as other advanced techniques performed by specialized surgeons might be the solutions offered to you.
3. You want the implant to work as a long‑term, fixed solution. Implants are usually the ones that give you more confidence if you are not comfortable with taking in and out of your teeth, or you are afraid of slipping in social and work situations.
4. Only one or a few teeth are missing. An implant‑supported single crown or bridge is highly stable and natural‑looking, which is the best choice without cutting the neighboring teeth for the single gap or a short span.
5. You are willing to pay a bigger sum now instead of replacing your teeth periodically. The cost of repeatedly changing and relining your dentures as well as repairing them over a long period of time can be quite substantial; thus, implants are to be considered as a capital investment in your oral cavity.
In case you agree with most of the statements and can have access to a reputable implant dentist registered by GDC, then dental implants would be better for you in the long term rather than conventional false teeth.
Who is generally better with dentures (false teeth)?
Dentures might be the more reasonable option if:
1. You are against surgery. There are cases where individuals do not want a surgical treatment or their doctors advise them not to (for instance, in the case of severe heart problems, taking blood-thinning medications or having had radiotherapy in the jaw area recently).
2. You have to replace a large number of teeth or even the whole set of teeth quickly. In most cases, full or partial dentures can be made within a few weeks, and “immediate dentures” can also be fitted right after extractions to shorten the time without teeth.
3. If money is your only concern. Basic dentures are typically much less expensive than a full implant treatment.
4. You are an elderly person or anticipate that you will lose more teeth. As the statistic shows, a very high percentage of people over the age of 75 have already adopted the use of dentures, thus dentures can be changed or made again as more teeth are lost.
5. Your bone has been resorbed significantly. For some cases where there is severe bone loss, an extensive graft or a complex implant procedure might be required but there are some patients who choose a simpler, removable option.
To a great extent people, whose dentures are carefully planned by a skillful clinician and of good quality, modern and checked regularly, look natural and their functions are fully restored.
How long do they last and what maintenance is needed?
It is very important to think beyond the first year.
1. Dental implants: Implants along with their crowns or bridges, can be kept for a very long time, even for decades, if the patient follows good home care and goes regularly for professional cleaning. However, the patient is still required to brush twice daily, clean in between the teeth and around the implants, as well as attend check‑ups and hygiene sessions, mainly in order to prevent gum disease around implants.
2. Dentures: As a result of changes in the jawbone and gums, dentures that used to fit well can become loose with time, thus requiring relining, adjustments or even a complete replacement. The life of dentures is typically a few years; however, they are often in need of maintenance, and studies have indicated that a large percentage of denture wearers at any given time are in need of repairs or replacements.
In both cases, regular visits are necessary, but the nature of these visits is different: routine dental reviews for implants, versus periodic re‑fittings, repairs and checks for dentures.
How to decide what is right for you
Asking the question “Should I get dental implants or false teeth?” is best handled by going through a simple checklist and then confirming your answers with a qualified dentist.
Ask yourself:
1.How many teeth do I have that are missing and where are they? A single front tooth is usually a good candidate for an implant, whereas the case of several teeth missing in both jaws may result in the use of a combination of implants and dentures or full-arch implant solutions.
2.What is my health condition like? If you have diseases such as diabetes that is not under control, are on a certain type of cancer treatment, or are a heavy smoker, your dentist might recommend that you get these conditions under control before considering implants.
3.How much does it matter for me that my teeth are fixed? In case you are very averse to the idea of removable teeth or are concerned about the fact that they might move at social occasions, implants or implant‑supported dentures could be a better match for you.
4.What can I actually afford? Besides the headline price, also think about how often you will need replacements and whether you are willing to have private treatment or need to stay within NHS options.
5.How fast do I need a solution? If you have a significant life event coming up soon and want teeth as fast as possible, then a temporary denture or immediate denture might be the right choice for you as the first step, with implants planned for a later stage.
A good dentist will do an examination of your mouth, talk about your medical history, take X-rays or scans to check your bone, and give you a realistic picture of the options available for you in terms of costs, time and results.
Final Thought
For many adults in London who are generally healthy and ready to invest in a long – term solution, dental implants usually offer the most stable, natural‑feeling and bone‑friendly answer to missing teeth.