The lack of teeth is one of the most common dental problems among the citizens of Moldova. However, modern dentistry comes with 2 perfect solutions: prosthesis and dental implantology. Sometimes it is difficult to decide which of these procedures suits you best, because you don’t know how much a dental prosthesis costs or what is the lifetime of dental implants. Whatever your dilemma is, with this article we will help you make the right choice, showing you the differences and similarities of these two procedures.

How prosthetic procedures and dental implantation are performed?

Prosthesis is the process of installing a prosthetic appliance or crown on natural, but damaged teeth. It can be removable, partially removable and fixed. Removable dentures can be easily removed at any time, while partially removable prostheses have special fasteners that can only be removed with the help of a dentist. Non-removable prostheses are mounted on remaints and the roots of the natural teeth (to give them the right shape for fixing the prosthesis). Implantation is the process of installing a titanium device in the jaw, a device that will have the function of an artificial root of the tooth. The dentist mounts an implant in the soft spongy bone layer, and the upper part of it remains above. Then a crown or prosthesis is placed on it. With the help of dental implant surgery you will completely restore your smile and chewing function.

Prosthesis and dental implantology: the main differences

• Contraindications to dental prosthesis: Worsening of chronic diseases, disorders of blood clotting and blood pressure, inability to use anesthesia during the procedure.

Contraindications to dental implantation: oncological, diabetes, weakened masticatory muscles, infections, diseases of the cardiovascular system, nervous system, immune system, kidney failure, bone disease and others.

• Duration of the prosthesis procedure: The whole process takes 10-60 days.

Duration of the implantation procedure: 6-12 months, because the implant must be firmly attached to the jaw.

• State of bones at the prosthesis: the bones instead of the missing teeth gradually become thinner.

State of the bones at implantation: the bones remain healthy, because they actively participate in the chewing process.

• Lifespan of prostheses: 1-10 years depending on type and material.

Lifespan of dental implants: up to 20-22 years.

• Care method for dental prostheses: special attention must be paid to hygiene, as germs enter the space between the gum and the denture.

Care method of dental implants: as in the case of natural teeth.

Prosthesis and dental implantology: similarities

• Both dental devices can be installed in the absence of a single tooth and in the total absence of teeth.
• The first step in both processes is to consult the dentist: examining the patient, taking measurements and modeling the implant or denture.
• The aesthetics of both devices depends on the crowns and prostheses used. In both cases, the solutions offered by dentists hardly differ from natural teeth.

To make your choice much easier, we continue with the advantages and disadvantages of dentures and dental implants. Advantages of dentures:

• The prosthetic procedure is 6-10 times faster than implantation.
• The price of dentures can be 10-15 times lower than the cost of dental implants.
• They can be mounted without surgery.
• It has a small list of contraindications.
• Low risk of complications.

Disadvantages of prostheses:

• Prostheses deteriorate quickly if you constantly eat hard and harsh foods.
• Over time, the bone that replaces the missing teeth atrophies.
• Healthy teeth wear out too quickly because they are overworked.
• It requires strict oral hygiene – microbes, food particles, which cause inflammation, enter the space between the gum and the prosthesis.

Advantages of dental implants:

• Dental implants are 10 times more durable than dentures.
• The implant transfers the overload to the bone so that you can chew any food without worrying, and the bone tissue doesn’t atrophy.
• Even with the help of the cheapest dental implants, you can completely restore missing teeth.
• They have closer contact with the gums and no special care is required.

Disadvantages of dental implants:

• These devices are relatively more expensive than dentures.
• There is a risk of the body rejecting foreign tissues.
• It has an extensive list of contraindications.
• It is a long-term procedure, the implants to take root completely.

So which procedure works best for you?

It all depends on your indications and contraindications, your desires and needs. If you need to quickly restore the chewing function with a minimal risk of complications, it is better to choose dentures. If jaw health, remaining teeth and long-term results matter to you, then dental implants are what you need. In any case, we are waiting for you in a detailed consultation with the dentist – he will recommend a suitable solution during examination and will tell in detail all the advantages and disadvantages of these two procedures.