Dental Implants vs Dentures for 40 plus – Which is the Better Option?

Dental implants vs dentures for 40 plus individuals – Which is the safest and most popular option?

According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, about 69% of adults aged 35 to 44 have lost at least one of their permanent teeth for various reasons, i.e., tooth decay or an accident. If you are also suffering from tooth loss, your dentist might have offered you two options to get a beautiful smile back, i.e. dental implant or dentures.

Both of these options have their benefits and drawbacks. However, for people aged above 40, these dental accessories become crucial if they wish to restore normal mouth functions. So without further ado, let us figure out which option is the best suited for you.

Dental Implants for Seniors

Dental implants involve adding a new tooth inside your jaw which is made of biocompatible titanium. The process is completely painless and very long-lasting.

Let’s take a more in-depth look at the pros and cons of Dental Implants for Seniors:

Pros

• They Prevent Bone Loss – When you lose a tooth, the bone mass slowly deteriorates around the lost tooth. Getting an implant stops that bone loss, which prevents future teeth losses.

• They Look Natural – Dental implants look natural as they are tailored precisely to match your tooth’s size and color.

• Gives a Perfect Bite – These implants work as a tooth as well, giving you the perfect bite every time.

• No need for Adhesives – No glue or adhesive is required to keep the implant in place.

• They are Permanent  – No need for frequent visits to the dentist; once the implant is in, there is no coming back.

Cons

• Not Possible on Weak Gums – If you have weak gums, then this procedure cannot be performed.
• Slight Swelling and Pain – As this is an invasive dental procedure, you can expect some swelling and little discomfort.
• Bleeding – Slight bleeding is expected for 24 to 48 hours. There will only be a few drops or minor spotting, nothing serious.

Dentures for Seniors

You might be familiar with dentures from movies and cartoons. They are replacements for missing teeth and surrounding tissues that can be removed anytime.

There are two main types of dentures :

1. Partial Dentures – They are used when only a few teeth have been lost.
2. Complete Dentures – They are used when all the teeth are missing.

So now that you are familiar with dentures, let us dig deeper into the pros and cons of it:

Pros

• Aesthetically Pleasing – Dentures are very pleasing as they cover the complete infected area and look beautiful throughout.
• Applied on Weak Gums – Dentures can be used on weak gums without any discomfort and bleeding.
• Easy to Maintain – Dentures are very easy to maintain and can be washed effortlessly.
• Less Expensive – Dentures are budget and pocket-friendly, making them a good choice for the elderly on a tight budget.
• Easy to Modify – In case of teeth loss in the future, dentures are very easy to modify.

Cons

• Tend to Wear out – You might need to replace them after some while.
• Increased Risk of Gum Disease – Food can easily be trapped between the gum and the dentures, which can cause infection.
• Need Adhesives – Some dentures require adhesives, which can make the process quite messy.

Conclusion

Both procedures are excellent for people aged above 40, but if you have healthy gum and only one or two teeth are missing, opt for dental implants. If your gums are weak and cannot withhold the dental implant or almost all of your teeth are lost, dentures are a viable option.

Celebrities Smiles and General Dentistry performs these procedures to restore your confidence; select that suits you the best. They are located in Westmont, IL.