While dentures and dental bridges can be excellent ways to replace lost teeth, many patients find that they don’t work as well as would be desirable. Though many of these people have heard of dental implants and how they function just like real teeth, they may become hesitant to commit to the treatment when they see the price tag. Here are a few of the oral health benefits that dental implants bring to the table and a few reasons why they more than justify the investment.
Dental Implants Are Incredibly Lifelike
While dentures and dental bridges look a lot like real teeth, they will lose their fit over time. This can cause them to move around in the mouth, leading to discomfort, sores, a poor appearance, and difficulty with eating and speaking. Dental implants, on the other hand, are placed directly into the bone tissue of the jaw, creating a sturdy foundation that allows them to work exactly like real teeth. Dental implant patients will not need to worry about their appliances coming loose during speech or meals under normal circumstances.
Dental Implants Preserve the Jawbone
The jawbone depends on the exercise the teeth provide during the chewing process to remain healthy and strong, and the bone structure that supports a tooth will begin to atrophy and recede after it is lost. The bone tissue receding in the empty socket can pull the neighboring teeth out of alignment, making them more vulnerable to injury, infection, and loss. As more teeth are lost, the mouth can appear to sink into the face, leaving the person with a withered and elderly appearance.
Unlike dentures and dental bridges, dental implants address this issue by restoring this exercise to the jaw. Once they have become integrated with the bone tissue, the implants will work against it during the chewing process just like real teeth, allowing them to prevent or even reverse the process of bone loss.
Dental Implants Are Permanent
Dentures can last for about ten years with excellent care and dental bridges can last for about fifteen. Once one of these appliances wears out, it will need to be replaced, and the cost of replacement appliances can add up to a hefty sum over the decades. Dental implants can last for thirty-five years or even a lifetime with the right care and maintenance, and they boast an impressive success rate of over 95%.
Dental implants offer many significant benefits that traditional restorations cannot match. After a consultation, your dentist will be able to tell you if dental implants can be right for you.
About the Author
Dr. Richard Thomas earned his dental degree at Case Western Reserve University before completing a one-year hospital-based residency program in advanced dental treatments for medically compromised and elderly patients at the Geisinger Medical Center. He is a proud member of the American Dental Association and the Ohio Dental Association. His office in Toledo, OH, offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as dental implant services. To book a dental implant consultation, contact his office online or dial (419) 539-2168.