2 Considerations For A Young Person Deciding Between Dentures And Dental Implants

Dentist Blog

Youth does not always equal perfect dental health. A combination of genetics, lifestyle choices, and trauma can lead to significant dental problems even while you are in early adulthood. If you've already lost a few teeth and face losing a few more, you might start to consider your long-term dental replacement options.

The two options most often debated are dental implants and dentures. But there are special considerations for young patients that can inform which of these options will prove the best choice over time.

Consider Future Payments

Dental implants are the most expensive dental replacement option, and that can dissuade young patients from even considering an implant. But it's important to look at the long-term costs of an implant compared to dentures, considering you will need a dental replacement option for 50 or more years of your life.

It's fairly common knowledge that you might need to have your dentures refitted from time to time as your jaw shifts. But did you know that the average lifespan for even the best cared for dentures is only five to seven years? So, when you look at that initial price for dentures, consider that you might need to replace the dentures 10 times throughout your life.

Dental implants can last up to 10 years with proper care. That can be as much as twice as long as the dentures would last. And the implants won't require periodic fittings as your jaw changes position.

Consider Degenerative Conditions

Are your gums receding despite proper oral healthcare? Do you have a weak jawbone due to genetic factors that will only become worse with age? You need to take into consideration any degenerative dental health conditions for which you are already showing symptoms.

Dental implants require a jawbone-implanted metal root to hold the artificial tooth in place. If you have a weak jawbone, the bone might not sufficiently heal around the implant root, which can lead to a loose tooth or the implant falling out. You can undergo a bone graft, but if you are prone to bone loss, the graft might not improve the situation for even the life of that specific implant.

Recessed gums can also cause a problem for dental implants as the soft tissue pulls down far enough to expose the root. Again, you could get a gum graft – sometimes with a supplementary bone graft – but if gum recession is a recurring problem, your implant might not stay secure for very long.

Dentures, on the other hand, can accommodate recessed gums and weakened jawbone because the denture plate sits above these parts. The weakened bone might increase the frequency of your fittings and a bone graft might still be in your future, but there should be fewer problems than you would face with a dental implant.

To learn more about these options and which is best for you, be sure to meet with a dentist, such as those at Kenai Dental Clinic.

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4 June 2015