What are the benefits of choosing dental implants over other tooth replacement options?
Losing one or more teeth creates both cosmetic and functional problems. Thankfully, several tooth replacement options exist today. Dental implants provide the most effective and lasting solution. Read on to learn the many benefits of implants for restoring your smile.
Tooth Replacement Alternatives
People missing teeth have three main options for tooth replacement:
- Removable partial or full dentures
- Fixed dental bridges
- Dental implants
Dentures and bridges both have pros and cons. But more and more patients choose dental implants near you to replace missing teeth, thanks to key advantages.
Why Consider Dental Implants?
Dental implants involve placing small titanium posts surgically into the jawbone. A realistic-looking porcelain crown gets attached to the top portion that sits above the gums.
Implants fuse naturally with the bone through the process of osseointegration. This creates a highly stable and durable restoration.
Benefits of dental implants include:
Maintained Facial Structure
Since implants integrate into the jawbone like natural tooth roots, they help maintain the shape of facial structures. This retains your natural appearance. Dentures or bridges can cause sunken cheek, chin, and lip areas over time as bone loss progresses. But implants prevent this bone loss and deterioration of facial features.
Preserved Adjacent Teeth
Unlike bridges, implants don’t require grinding down adjacent teeth for placement. Your other teeth remain untouched. Bridgework unavoidably involves filing or reshaping neighboring teeth to secure the bridge. This permanent alteration of healthy teeth is avoided with implants.
Long-lasting Solution
With proper care, implants can last several decades. For most, they are a permanent tooth replacement option. Dentures may need to be remade every 5-10 years as the shape of the gums and bone changes. Bridges generally last 7-15 years before needing replacement. Proper maintenance provides implants with significantly longer durability.
Retained Bone Volume
The titanium implant mimics a natural root and keeps bone intact. With a missing tooth, bone loss occurs over time. But the implant stimulation maintains bone volume. Dentures and bridges do not halt the progression of bone loss in areas with missing teeth. Implants are the sole choice for a replacement that maintains the jawbone’s integrity.
Better Functionality
Implants allow stable biting and chewing power like that of natural teeth. Eating limitations associated with partials or bridges are avoided. Dentures may slip or require messy dental adhesives to remain in place. Bridges can lack the natural strength of original teeth. But dental implants have the same force tolerance and stability as your teeth.
Improved Speech
Slipping dentures can cause mumbled or unclear speech. Implants won’t slip or become displaced when you speak. The fixed stability of implants eliminates speech problems resulting from ill-fitting dentures.
Increased Confidence
Many people feel self-conscious about missing teeth or dental appliances. The realistic look and feel of implants promote confidence. No one but you – and your dentist – needs to know you have a dental implant.
Convenience
Implants won’t slip out of place like dentures so you can avoid messy pastes or glues. You care for them like your regular teeth by brushing and flossing. The seamless fit means you can eat, speak and smile with confidence.
Who Makes a Good Candidate for Implants?
Implants have high long-term success rates for most people with good oral health and sufficient jawbone density. Smokers face a greater risk of implant failure as the habit impairs healing. People with chronic conditions like diabetes may also have reduced success rates.
Substant bone loss may have occurred if you lost a tooth years ago. A bone graft can help rebuild the bone to support the implant. Age is also a consideration, as older patients have lower bone density.
Talk with your dentist in Chester Springs, PA, regarding the procedures required to see if implants suit your unique situation.
Start Your Implant Journey Today
Living with missing teeth can negatively impact your quality of life. By understanding the advantages of dental implants, you can make an informed choice about tooth replacement.
With a realistic appearance, natural feel, and long-lasting function, implants outshine traditional dentures and bridges. Contact our dental clinc Dentist of Chester Springs, PA to schedule a consultation. They offer affordable dental implant solutions to give you your smile back.
Don’t settle for less optimal tooth replacement methods. See how dental implants can restore your smile – both functionally and aesthetically. Schedule an appointment to discuss implants and learn if you’re a candidate for this permanent solution.