Summer is the perfect time for your family to get new photos taken. Flowers are blooming, trees are bright and full of leaves, and the weather offers ample opportunities to get outside for these shots. However, you may find yourself feeling a bit insecure about your missing teeth leading up to these photos. Before they arrive, you may be considering a few dental prosthetic options.
Some options, like dental flippers and implants, seem like a great way to restore the appearance of your smile for upcoming photos, but which is best? When it comes to choosing between these common options, there are several factors to consider. Making a kneejerk decision can leave you feeling insecure or uncomfortable during your family photos.
In this blog, we’ll explore the key differences between implants and flippers to help you make the most informed decision for your smile.
Explaining the Real Difference Between Dental Implants and Flippers
The first step in determining whether implants or flippers are the right choice for your smile is understanding the key differences between them. Flippers are a temporary, plastic partial denture. These devices are designed to help you restore a small gap in your smile, but are only meant to act as a placeholder while waiting for a more permanent solution.
Unlike more permanent options, flippers can’t withstand things like tough chewing, exceptionally hot foods, or heavy pressures. These actions can be far too aggressive for this temporary solution, leading to cracking, warping, or breaking. Dental implants, on the other hand, are a permanent way to restore the appearance and function of your smile.
This dental prosthetic consists of a metal post inserted into your jawbone and a custom dental crown that goes overtop. Once the post is fused with your jawbone (a process referred to as osseointegration), the final crown is placed. When placed, the implant performs just like your remaining teeth, allowing you to enjoy a natural appearance and everyday function.
Why Dental Implants Offer a More Permanent Solution Than Flippers
Dental flippers function similarly to a bridge. They attach to your surrounding natural teeth, fitting snugly against your gums. However, this can have an impact on their long-term reliability. While they are designed to last for a few months, they are made of a lightweight, delicate acrylic material that isn’t suitable for everyday use.
Additionally, flippers do not stimulate your jawbone, which can alter the appearance of your face and compromise your options for more permanent solutions down the line. Dental implants, on the other hand, directly fuse with your jawbone. Once it has fused with the bone, there is no need to worry about wiggling or shifting during everyday wear and tear.
This integration with your jawbone also ensures the bone is constantly stimulated, preventing bone loss. Additionally, implants are made of a far more durable zirconia or porcelain material. These materials aren’t just capable of handling everyday use, but are also highly stain-resistant and blend seamlessly with your natural teeth, making them the ideal permanent solution.
Comparing Comfort, Stability, Daily Maintenance, and More
When it comes to investing in a new dental prosthetic, it isn’t just about the appearance of the device. It’s also about ensuring you’re choosing the appropriate solution for your long-term comfort and smile goals. Before investing in dental implants or flippers, it is important to consider the comfort, stability, and maintenance of each device.
| Feature | Dental Implant | Flippers |
| Comfort | Incredibly comfortable during everyday wear, eating, and speaking, nonremovable, and do not irritate your delicate gum tissue. | Comfort varies, but they can feel bulky and cause gum irritation, and have been known to cause gagging for some patients. |
| Stability | Excellent stability due to osseointegration, resulting in a 93-98% success rate for patients and great chewing efficiency. | Low stability and cannot be relied on when eating most standard foods, can feel loose when speaking and sometimes become dislodged. |
| Maintenance | Easy maintenance, meant to be treated like your natural teeth, requiring standard brushing and flossing for long-term success. | High maintenance, must be removed daily to address food buildup and often need to be removed at night. |
| Cost | Higher upfront investment, ranging between $3,000 and $6,000 for a single tooth or $15,000 to $50,000 for All-on-4 options. | A far lower upfront cost, only about $300 to $1,000 per tooth, discounts may also be applied if you need a replacement for several teeth. |
| Lifespan | Great long-term solution with a lifespan of 20+ years when taken care of as recommended by your dentist. | Short-term solution, meant to last 6 months to 2 years while working toward a permanent solution. |
Which Option is Best for You?
As you’re preparing for upcoming family photos, you may consider investing in new dental implants or flippers to restore the appearance of your smile. Which option is best for you will vary depending on how much time you have to invest in your smile. If your photos are quickly approaching, flippers may be your best immediate option.
However, if you are planning for photos later in the year and have up to six months to invest, dental implants are the way to go. While they are more expensive upfront, their stability, comfort, and reliability are hard to beat. When you work with a reliable dental team for this appointment, you can trust that your smile will be permanently transformed.
With dental implants in your mouth, you can eat, drink, speak, and smile without fear of what others may think or concerns about a flipper behaving in a way it should not. Instead, you can enjoy time with your loved ones, eat your favorite meal, and smile in your upcoming family photos with restored confidence.
Invest in Your Smile at Bismarck Advanced Dental & Implants
If you’re looking for a reliable dental team to help you start the dental implant process, turn to our team at Bismarck Advanced Dental & Implants in Bismarck, ND. For years, we’ve helped patients across the city and beyond achieve their dream smile. Whether you’re missing one tooth or several, feeling insecure about your smile, or want to restore function, we’re here to help you make a lasting change.
When you are ready to schedule an appointment with our team, don’t hesitate to fill out our online contact form or call our office at 701-390-1920.