Talking about dental implants, many people believe that dental implants are the only choice they have. Because dental implants function exactly like natural teeth and also help prevent jaw bone loss. However, everyone thinks differently, and for some patients, dental implants are not their number one choice. If you need a tooth replacement, it is wise to explore all available options. Let us have a look at some of the alternatives to dental implants.
Full Mouth Dentures
Most people are familiar with this alternative to dental implants. Hearing about dentures, you probably have a picture in your mind of full mouth dentures. Full mouth dentures replace both the lower and upper arches of teeth. It is an excellent choice if you have none or only a few teeth left. Although full mouth dentures allow you to chew thoroughly than you can with just gums or heavily damaged teeth, you won’t be able to chew as effectively as with dental implants or natural teeth, which may limit your diet.
Partial Dentures
You can also go for partial dentures if you still have some healthy teeth left, but the majority is missing. The teeth on the partial dentures are attached to a plastic base that is designed to match the color of your gums so as to blend in with your other teeth. Partial dentures allow you to speak and eat easily. And it is easy to remove them for cleaning or repairs. However, they can be uncomfortable sometimes and may be less stable than other replacement options.
Fixed Bridges
As the name suggests, fixed bridges are fixed in your mouth by the dentist using a special type of glue. Because of the fixture, they may feel and function like natural teeth, plus you don’t have to worry about them being loose in your mouth. But the bad part is that fixed bridges are difficult to clean and can sometimes damage the adjacent natural teeth.
Before getting dental implants or the alternatives to them, it’s important to discuss it with your local dentist. For that, visit Porter Smiles Dental or call us at 281 519 7200.