Missing teeth? Are you getting a tooth extraction and need a tooth replacement? It happens to the best of us, whether it’s a result of age, tooth decay, or accidental facial trauma. But what you don’t want to do with a missing tooth is ignore it. This can lead to disintegration of your jawbone structure and cause problems with your other teeth — even cause you to lose more teeth!
You certainly have a variety of options for tooth replacement, depending on your budget: dental implants, partial dentures, fixed bridges, or a flipper — a partial denture that has the ability to flip in and out of its position. Dental implants are the most expensive, but they are by far the best option — they look and function essentially the same as your natural tooth. Here’s why dental implants are your best option for tooth replacement.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are titanium or zirconia posts that are surgically implanted into your jaw to serve as tooth roots. They are then topped with crowns, bridges, or dentures. The end result is fully functional teeth.
If you are missing many teeth next to each other, you can get an implant bridge which is a dental bridge affixed to two dental implants that hold it in place.
Dental Implants Look Like Natural Teeth
The beauty of dental implants is their appearance — they look just like your natural teeth. Your oral surgeon or dentist will work with you to find a shade of implant that matches your surrounding teeth so that the implant is essentially invisible to the naked eye. No one will be able to tell which are your pre-existing teeth and which are dental implants.
Dental Implants Prevent Bone Loss
As we said earlier, you shouldn’t ignore a missing tooth because it can lead to bone loss. This is caused by a lack of the stimulation your jawbone used to get when your tooth connected to maintain. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that also replaces that jaw bone stimulation — preventing bone loss and additional jaw problems overtime.
Dental Implants Fully Restore the Force of Your Bite
Dental implants are strongly anchored into your jaw. This allows you to chew with the same force you had with your natural teeth. Other options for tooth replacement don’t always restore the full strength of your bite because they sit on top of the gums and aren’t anchored in place. Dental implants essentially function as well as your original teeth.
No Cavities with Dental Implants
Dental implants don’t completely give you a pass on oral health — you’ll still need to brush to prevent bacteria from building up in your mouth and causing infections. But because dental implants are artificial they don’t technically get cavities.
Dental Implants Are Permanent
The beauty of dental implants is they are a permanent solution to tooth replacement. Other options to replace missing teeth will need to be repaired or replaced over time, but dental implants are for life.
Dental Implants Are Easy to Care For
Some replacement options for missing teeth like dentures require you to purchase special cleaners and do intensive cleaning. With dental implants, you brush and floss them just as you would your natural teeth. There is no special toothpaste to buy — no need for special cleaners, adhesive, or special flosses.
Speak & Eat Naturally
Dentures can sometimes slip out and get in the way of eating and speaking, which can be embarrassing. Dental implants are permanently affixed to your mouth, just like your natural teeth, so there are no embarrassing slippage issues.
Dental Implants Support Adjacent Teeth
Missing teeth can cause the teeth on either side to slip or shift positions. It can even lead to further tooth loss, causing a self-perpetuating problem that only goes downhill from there. Dental implants fill this gap so your surrounding teeth stay in place.
Dental Implants Can Be Done on the Same Day
Depending on the health of your jawbone, same day dental implants are possible. We can attach the implants during a single appointment so you leave with beautiful and functional teeth on the same day. Same day dental implants are an immediate solution for tooth replacement.
Need Dental Implants? Call Us!
So whether you’re getting dental implants for cosmetic or functional purposes, they are clearly the best solution for tooth replacement. If you would like to learn more about dental implant surgery, contact our office. We’d be happy to help!