Whether you have lost or damaged teeth as a result of teeth decay or a mouth disease such as gingivitis, having them removed can be a tough experience. Beyond that, leading a life without all of your teeth can be fraught with difficulties. You may find that something that was once simple, like chewing food, is now hard or uncomfortable. You may also feel like you've lost some confidence and are shy about showing your teeth while smiling. Luckily, modern day dentistry offers numerous solutions for this, the most popular of which are dental implants and dentures. If you're considering using either one of these to replace your worn or missing teeth, take a moment to examine how they compare. 

Affordability:

The cost of both surgery and any required maintenance post-surgery are two big factors anyone looking into getting either dentures or dental implants needs to examine. Dentures are the more cost-effective of the two, being made out of cheaper material and requiring only a single procedure to have them moulded for your mouth. Dental implants, which are made out of titanium and require multiple sessions of examination of your jaw bone to assess whether they'll work for you, are more expensive. However, in the long term, dentures require more expenses for maintenance than implants. 

Maintenance and ease of use:

While getting a set of dentures usually only requires a single sitting with your dentist, they need a lot more maintenance, attention and care than implants. In addition to having to remove them every day before going to sleep, dentures require that you clean them at least once a day using a soft toothbrush and warm water or a specially designed denture paste. For best fit and continued comfort, you'll also need to have them checked by your dentist every so often and replaced around every five years. Dental implants, on the other hand, although requiring multiple appointments and a surgery for installation, do not require much maintenance post-surgery. They are long lasting. 

Appearance and feel:

Dental implants resemble individual teeth and are more natural looking than dentures. They also feel better in the mouth and do not cause pain or discomfort when chewing food like dentures do. However, dentures are especially good for people who have lost multiple teeth as they push your cheeks and mouth back into the correct place. In either case, both can do wonders for your overall look and self-confidence.

If you're still not sure, consult your dentist. They will be able to tailor an explanation of the pros and cons to your particular situation. 

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