If you are one of the millions of American adults missing a tooth or two, you might be thinking about replacing those gaps in your smile with a partial denture or a state-of-the-art dental implant. Although many people are nervous about the process of receiving dental implants, there is a reason they are recommended by dentists and periodontists across the world. Here are four reasons you might prefer dental implants over other options.
Unlike partial dentures, which are designed to replicate the chewing process and appear lifelike, dental implants are anchored into your natural jawbone, recreating the natural stimulation created between your real teeth and your jaw tissue. This stimulation helps to keep the jawbone healthy and strong, warding off a long list of potential dental problems.
After a tooth is lost and the tooth is no longer moving gently as you talk and chew, the bone begins to slowly melt away. This process, referred to as resorption, happens fast, with the area losing about 25 percent of its width within the initial year following a lost tooth. Although dentures don't ward off bone loss, dental implants halt the process completely, improving your oral health.
In addition to protecting the structural integrity of your periodontal arch, dental implants don't rely on support from the neighboring teeth, which helps them to stay strong and stable.
One of the most powerful benefits of dental implants is the fact that they feel just like the rest of your natural teeth. Because they are anchored into bone, they will not slip or pop out like dentures can, which can improve your confidence in social situations.
Dental implants are also easy to care for, since they only need to be brushed and flossed like the rest of your natural teeth. Because patients can keep their teeth clean, implants can help patients to avoid bad breath and to improve oral health.
Patients who are more comfortable sticking to their regular diets also tend to choose dental implants, since there aren't food restrictions like people have to live with when they have dentures or partials. With implants, you can continue to munch away on crunchy vegetables and crispy foods, making it easy to enjoy a night out with friends.
In addition to improving your oral health and your personal level of comfort, dental implants can also make your smile look fantastic. Before implants are placed, your dentist will work with you to identify your personal restorative and cosmetic dental goals.
Implants can either be made to blend in perfectly with your surrounding teeth or designed to completely transform your smile. To make it easy to plan your treatment, dentists can use 3D renderings of your smile to show you how your new teeth will make you look. Dentists can even tweak renderings based off of your opinion, putting you in full control over your future appearance.
Before you shy away from dental implants because of the price, it is important to realize that the longterm cost may actually be less expensive than dentures.
Although a premium set of dentures typically costs between
$2,000 and $4,000 per plate and a single dental implant starts at around
$3,000, dental implants can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance, while dentures may need to be refitted or replaced every few years. Depending on when you get the implant and how many restorations you need, dental implants might be a far more cost-effective option.
If you are living with missing teeth and you think dental implants are the right option for you, contact
Premier Dentures and Implants. In addition to offering complimentary consultations and second opinions, this team of specialists will work hard to make every aspect of your dental visit comfortable and enjoyable.
