Dr. Brent Engelberg and his friendly dental care team at AH Smiles offer many options for replacing missing teeth, including dental implants and dentures. Dental implants provide the best long-term results for aesthetic and health reasons for many patients. If you want to replace missing teeth, call AH Smiles at (847) 230-9703.
What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is a prosthetic tooth, such as a custom dental crown, bridge, or denture, permanently secured in the jaw with a small titanium post. The surgeon implants this titanium post 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 that replace missing teeth and some gum tissue. They are not permanent, meaning you can remove them and put them back in when needed. Full dentures replace a whole row of missing teeth. Partial dentures replace gaps of missing teeth. A dental lab creates them with dental impressions of your mouth.
Fit and Function
Dentures and dental implants play a part in keeping your jaw healthy and your face 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, depending on the type of dentures you need, dentures may be uncomfortable because they may cover a large portion of your mouth with plastic. They may feel weird in your mouth, and it may take some time to adjust because they are bulky. The constant worry that your teeth may fall out while eating is not an issue with dental implants. Often, dentures may slip around or not fit correctly, leaving you worried about falling out.
Cost Comparison
Dentures initially cost less than dental implants. However, they must also be replaced, realigned, or rebased over time, which can add up depending on 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 cosmetic procedures, 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.
Learn more about our dental implants here: