Dentures vs. Dental Implants

Cosmetic & Family Dentist Serving Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Draper & Nearby Utah

Missing teeth can negatively affect chewing, speaking, and other everyday activities, not to mention make you self-conscious about your smile. If you are missing one or more teeth, our dentist Dr. Keith Warr can determine whether or not complete or partial dentures are an option for restoring your mouth.

During your initial consultation, Dr. Warr can evaluate your oral health and tooth replacement needs. Please call 801-355-5385 today to schedule an appointment to discuss dentures, dental implants, and other restorations. Dr. Warr welcomes patients from Salt Lake City, West Valley, and other areas of Utah.

Are Dentures Right for Me?

The denture that will most benefit you will depend on how many teeth you're missing. If you're missing the entire upper or lower row of teeth, a complete denture would be a prospective option. If you're only missing one or a few teeth, however, a partial denture supported by a dental crown or bridge might better suit your needs.

Candidates for dentures need to be in good overall oral health and committed to dental hygiene. Some of the benefits of dentures for patients with these traits are:

  • Easy and painless tooth replacement
  • Restored function and stability for the mouth
  • An apparatus customized to fit your mouth
  • Protection against gum disease and other issues that can arise from missing teeth

Dr. Warr regularly prepares partial dentures for patients in need of tooth replacement.

Do Dental Implants Work Better?

Despite the benefits of full or partial dentures, some patients might be reluctant to wear “false teeth,” especially due to the potential for the prosthetic slipping and moving around within the mouth. Patients who want a more stable and permanent tooth replacement option might be interested in dental implants.

The implant is an artificial tooth root surgically positioned beneath the gum line. Once the implant has fused with the jaw bone, it can support a crown or bridge that replaces one or more missing teeth.

Some of the advantages dental implants have over dentures include:

  • Completed implant apparatus functions exactly like a natural tooth
  • Stability; implants won't loosen with time or changes to the body the way dentures do
  • No removal necessary for proper cleaning
  • Taste buds unobstructed
  • Permanence; with proper care, the root below the gum can last a lifetime

Due to benefits like these, Dr. Warr commonly recommends dental implants to patients who want long-lasting tooth replacement. However, the best treatment for you will depend on your oral health and your unique goals for restoring the look and function of your teeth and entire mouth.

To find out more about dentures and/or dental implants, please contact Warr Dental or call 801-355-5385 today to schedule an appointment. Dr. Warr serves patients in and around Salt Lake City.