No one wants to lose their natural teeth, but the truth is that even if you practice good oral hygiene and make regular visits for exams, cleanings, and checkups, you could someday be faced with the challenges of missing teeth.
Even a single missing tooth can dramatically affect your lifestyle and self-confidence. You might cover your mouth when you talk, avoid being in pictures, stop smiling and laughing, or have to say no to your favorite foods.
Fortunately, there are several ways to replace your missing teeth, including snap-on dentures and single dental implants.
So, once you’re ready to prioritize your oral health and fill the gaps in your smile, how do you know which one is right for you?
Restoring Your Smile and Confidence in Champaign, IL
You may not think it’s important to replace your missing teeth; maybe it doesn’t bother you, and perhaps you’ve gotten used to chewing on the opposite side of your mouth or smiling awkwardly at the camera.
However, there are numerous reasons you should speak with our experienced dental team about your tooth replacement options, including the following:
- Shifting — When you have missing teeth, your remaining teeth can move into the open spaces in your mouth. This can negatively affect your bite.
- Lengthening — A tooth above or below your missing tooth may begin to fill the gap in your smile. This can also affect your bite.
- Increased pressure — If you bite down and chew with the same teeth all the time, it can lead to increased pressure and wear on those teeth.
- Jawbone deterioration — Without your tooth’s roots to stimulate your jawbone, it begins to shrink; this is known as resorption.
- Gum recession — If you’re missing a tooth, it can cause your gum tissue to recede from your neighboring teeth. This exposes your tooth’s roots and can lead to sensitivity issues and tooth decay.
- Inadequate chewing — You need to adequately chew your food to ensure proper digestion, so if you don’t chew properly, it can cause indigestion.
- Speech issues — Without a full set of teeth, you may be difficult to understand. You might lisp, slur your words, or whistle when you talk.
- Facial sagging — Missing teeth can cause your cheeks to sink in, making you look older than you are.
- Confidence — A complete smile makes you feel more confident and self-assured around friends, family, and coworkers.
Navigating Your Options with Anderson Dental
At Anderson Dental, we offer several tooth replacement options for you to choose from. Two of our most popular choices are snap-on dentures, known as implant-supported overdentures, and single dental implants.
Let’s explore these options in more detail.
Option 1: Understanding Snap-On Dentures (Implant-Supported Overdentures)
Snap-on dentures are removable dentures that attach to dental implants, giving you increased stability over traditional dentures. For this procedure, we place dental implants into your jaw and then add connectors that your dentures snap onto.
Some of the benefits of overdentures include:
- Increased stability — Instead of relying on suction, your snap-on dentures are secured by implants, so your teeth won’t shift or slip when you speak or eat.
- Improved comfort — Your overdentures will be more comfortable than traditional dentures. You’ll be less likely to have sore spots, and you won’t have to worry about sticky adhesives.
- Better chewing — With overdentures, you can enjoy a wider range of food options. You’ll be able to order what you want at your favorite restaurant.
- Bone preservation — Dental implants stimulate your jawbone and help prevent bone loss.
- Improved confidence — Imagine smiling again without worrying about tooth gaps or your dentures moving in your mouth.
Option 2: Understanding Single Dental Implants
Single dental implants are titanium posts that are surgically placed into your jawbone. Once they fuse with your jaw in a process known as osseointegration, a custom dental crown is added to complete the process. We use an abutment to connect the implant to the dental crown.
Dental implants are often called the gold standard solution because they can last a lifetime and provide numerous benefits, including:
- Durability — Dental implants have a high success rate and can last 25 years or more with proper care.
- Appearance — Your custom dental crown will look and feel just like your natural tooth.
- Preservation — A single dental implant mimics your tooth’s roots and keeps your jawbone from shrinking or deteriorating.
- Comfort — Dental implants don’t require adhesives or special care. All you need to do is brush and floss as you normally would.
- Function — You can eat what you want, speak clearly, and smile without hesitation!
Single Dental Implants: Drawbacks and Requirements
To be eligible for dental implants, there are some requirements, and it’s important to be aware of any potential drawbacks:
- You must have sufficient jawbone density so the implant can fuse to your jaw and provide stability.
- You need to have healthy gums.
- You need to be aware that implants require a surgical procedure.
- You should know that dental implants can be more expensive than dentures, and insurance may not cover the procedure.
- You must be willing to commit to the process; from implant placement to restoration, it takes several months.
Direct Comparison: Functionality and Lifestyle
When deciding which of these tooth replacement options is best for you, here are some things to consider:
- Single implants offer the best stability and chewing power, but overdentures provide better stability than traditional dentures.
- Both options are long-lasting, but single implants can last a lifetime. You may eventually need to replace the custom crown, though. With overdentures, the removable denture will likely need to be replaced after 10-15 years.
- Overdentures prevent jawbone loss, but only single dental implants stimulate your jawbone like your natural tooth’s roots.
Next Steps with Anderson Dental: Your Custom Consultation
When you’re ready to take the next step toward replacing your missing teeth with snap-on dentures or single tooth dental implants, our caring dental team is here to assist you! At Anderson Dental, we can explain each procedure and answer all your questions; that way, you can make an informed decision about your oral health.
We can tailor a treatment plan to suit your smile goals, budget, and timeline preferences. If you’d like to schedule a consultation with us, please call our office at (217) 356-7334.
We look forward to hearing from you!