Facing the decision of how to replace missing teeth can feel overwhelming. You want a solution that’s comfortable, functional, and lets you smile with confidence again. For patients in Baltimore, Towson, and Owings Mills, the choice often comes down to two main options: removable cosmetic dentures or modern dental implants.
At Cosmetic & Advanced Dentistry, Dr. Edward Lazer and Dr. Andrey Doroshenko believe in providing clear information so you can make the best choice for your health and lifestyle. While both replace teeth, they are fundamentally different experiences. Let’s break down the key differences to help you understand why our doctors recommend dental implants as the best long-term solution.
Understanding Traditional Dentures: The Temporary Fix
Removable dentures have been the standard for replacing a full arch of teeth for decades. They consist of artificial teeth set in a plastic or resin base that rests on your gums. They need adhesive to stay in place.
The immediate appeal is the low initial cost. The upfront investment is typically less than implant treatment. It’s also a faster process. They can be made and delivered relatively quickly.
The Long-Term Reality & Challenges:
- Bone Loss Continues: Dentures sit on top of your gums and do nothing to replace the missing tooth roots. Your jawbone continues to deteriorate over time, a process called resorption, which causes your facial structure to change and your dentures to become loose.
- Compromised Function: Dentures restore only about 30-40% of natural biting force. This means giving up many beloved foods like steak, crunchy vegetables, or chewy bread. Eating becomes a task, not a pleasure.
- Fit Issues & Discomfort: As your jawbone shrinks, dentures require frequent relines or replacements to prevent painful slipping, rubbing, and sores on your gums.
- Bulkiness & Inconvenience: They can feel bulky, affect speech, and require removal at night for cleaning. The constant worry of them moving or clicking can be a source of social anxiety.
The Dental Implant Advantage: A Permanent Foundation
Dental implants are widely considered the gold standard for tooth replacement. Why? Because they replicate both the root and the crown of a tooth.
Dr. Doroshenko, our prosthodontist and implant specialist, places a small, biocompatible titanium post directly into your jawbone. Over time, the bone fuses with this post (osseointegration), and creates a rock-solid foundation.
The Transformative Benefits:
- Preserves Your Jawbone & Appearance: By replacing the root, the implant stimulates your jawbone, preventing deterioration and preserving your natural facial contours and youthful appearance.
- Unmatched Stability & Comfort: Implants become a permanent part of you. There is no slipping, no adhesives, and no painful gum irritation. They feel like your own teeth.
- Restores 100% Bite Power: You can eat absolutely anything you want with complete confidence and natural force. No dietary restrictions.
- Natural Beauty & Easy Care: Dr. Lazer, our cosmetic expert, designs the visible crown to be indistinguishable from your natural teeth. You care for them simply by brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits. You don’t need special soakings or removals.
- A Lifelong Solution: While the initial process requires a healing period and a higher upfront investment, a well-placed and cared-for implant can last a lifetime. It’s a one-time solution designed for decades of service.
Our Collaborative, High-Tech Approach to Implants in Owings Mills
What sets our practice apart is how Dr. Lazer and Dr. Doroshenko combine their expertise for your benefit.
- Artful Planning (Dr. Lazer): Focusing on the final aesthetic result, Dr. Lazer plans the ideal size, shape, and position of your new teeth for a smile that looks perfectly natural and harmonious with your face.
- Precision Engineering (Dr. Doroshenko): Using 3D cone beam CT scans and digital surgical guides, Dr. Doroshenko plans and performs the implant placement with microscopic accuracy. This ensures optimal placement for both health and the beautiful final restoration.
- Seamless Results: This collaboration means your implant is crafted to be the final, beautiful piece of your smile puzzle.
Making the Right Choice for Your Future
The choice often comes down to what you are looking for. Are you looking for a temporary appliance or a permanent tooth?
Dentures can be a short-term or budget-conscious step. But they come with ongoing costs for adhesives, relines, and replacements, and they accept a decline in your quality of life.
Dental implants are an investment in your long-term health, function, and confidence. They protect your jawbone, restore your natural abilities, and are designed to last a lifetime.
Take the Next Step Toward a Permanent Smile
If you’re in Baltimore, Towson, or the surrounding areas and are tired of the limitations of dentures or are facing tooth loss, we invite you to learn more.
Schedule a consultation at our Owings Mills office. Let Dr. Lazer and Dr. Doroshenko provide a comprehensive evaluation, answer all your questions, and show you what an implant-supported smile can look like for you.
Book your implant consultation at Cosmetic & Advanced Dentistry by calling (410) 697-6290. You can also request an appointment online anytime.