Choice is a good thing, right? Yes — but sometimes, choice can be overwhelming. If you are missing (or on the brink of losing) a significant number of teeth, you’re probably starting to realize you’ve got a lot of options when it comes to tooth replacement. Dentures are one option, but are they the best? Dental implants in Bellingham seem to offer a number of benefits, but is the hype real? Keep reading to get our take on your tooth replacement options. Spoiler alert: dental implants win.

Dentures vs. Dental Implants

A denture is a set of prosthetic teeth affixed to a gum-colored base. A conventional, non implant-retained denture rests on your gums. A denture that is held in place with dental implants has the stability of implant posts that are surgically placed in your gum line.

Conventional implants can provide an effective tooth replacement for people who are ineligible for dental implants due to their oral or overall health or because of financial limitations — but people who are good candidates for dental implants should strongly consider this replacement option.

Dental implants offer an unquestionably more successful tooth replacement than a conventional denture. But thanks to options like All-on-4 in Bellingham, we can give you both! All-on-4, or Teeth In a Day, is an implant method that offers patients a fully-functional fixed denture supported by dental implants — all in less than 24 hours. That’s great news for many patients.

A Number of Dental Implant Benefits

Dental implants offer significant benefits compared to conventional dentures. Some of the most considerable advantages of an implant-retained denture include:

• Restored ability to eat, chew, speak, and smile without the stress or hassle of a loose or ill-fitting denture
• No need for messy or ineffective denture creams or adhesives
• A dental implant-retained prosthetic lasts longer
• Dental implants promote better oral and overall health
• When cared for properly, dental implants can last for many years

Which Is Right for You?

The only way to know whether or not a conventional denture or an implant-retained option is best for you is to schedule an appointment with our office. When you do, we will carefully examine your teeth and jawbone, take x-rays, talk to you about your smile goals and budget, and make a recommendation regarding which will suit you best.

In general, dental implants are a great option for people who are in good oral and overall health and who have enough in the budget to pay a higher cost upfront. Traditional dentures are better suited for people for whom time is a priority, who have smaller budgets, or who do not have sufficient jawbone structure to support dental implants.

No matter which is right for you, we look forward to getting started right away! Because everyone deserves a beautiful, complete smile.

About the Authors

Drs. Moreno, Young, and Pfeiffer offer superior dental care for patients in and around Bellingham. To learn more about dentures or dental implants, including whether or not you can benefit from this comprehensive tooth replacement, you are invited to contact the office at 360-676-0642.