Dental Implants vs Dentures Arlington Heights, IL

Dr. Brent Engelberg and his friendly dental care team at AH Smiles offer a wide range of options for replacing missing teeth, including dental implants and dentures. For many patients, dental implants provide the best long term results for both aesthetic and health reasons. If you are interested in replacing missing teeth, call AH Smiles at (847) 230-9703.

Dental Implants versus Dentures at AH Smiles

What are Dental Implants?

A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth, in the form of a custom dental crown and bridge, or denture which is permanently secured in the jaw with a small titanium post. This titanium post is surgically implanted into the jawbone beneath the gum line. The post acts as a tooth root, stimulating healthy bone growth to avoid jaw shrinkage which often occurs after tooth loss.

What are Dentures?

Dr. Engelberg offers options for replacing missing teeth using dentures, partials, and implant dentures. Dentures are custom made artificial teeth used to replace missing teeth and some of the gum tissue. They are not permanent meaning you can remove them and put them back in when needed. Full dentures are used to replace a whole row of missing teeth. Partial dentures are used to replace gaps of missing teeth. They are made in a dental lab with dental impressions of your mouth.

Fit and Function

Dentures and dental implants both play a part in keeping your jaw healthy and face looking in shape. With dentures, you may need to apply a gooey adhesive every time you wear them to hold them in your mouth. With Dental implants, you won’t need to do this extra step because they are surgically implanted and can be treated like a normal tooth.

Furthermore, dentures may be a bit uncomfortable because they may cover a large portion of your mouth with plastic depending on the type of dentures you need. They may feel weird in your mouth and take some time to get used to because they are bulky. The constant worry that your teeth may fall out while eating is not an issue with dental implants. Oftentimes, dentures may slip around or may not fit correctly leaving you with the worry of falling out.

Cost Comparison

Dentures initially cost less than dental implants. However, they will also need to be replaced, realigned, or rebased over time. This cost can add up depending on the wear and tear. Dental implants cost more but are a permanent solution. If cared for properly, they will last forever. Dental insurance will typically cover between 15% and 50% of dentures depending on your dental plan. Since dental implants are considered a cosmetic procedure, dental insurance will not cover them leaving you to pay the full cost of dental implants. You must check with your dental insurance provider to see if they cover a portion of the implant crown, bridge, or denture.

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