What are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is used to replace a single or multiple missing teeth. It is similar to a tooth root and anchors a replacement crown or bridge. Dental implants are ideal for individuals who have lost teeth due to decay, injury, periodontal disease, or are just unhappy with removable appliances or dental bridge work.
Tooth replacement includes many options including; removable appliances, tooth supported prosthesis (bridgework), bonded restorations, and dental implants. The dental implant provides many advantages over other tooth replacement methods.
Reasons to Choose a Dental Implant
Dental implants maintain the integrity of the remaining teeth – A dental implant can replace a single tooth without touching the neighboring teeth. Many feel this is the greatest advantage to an implant because it does not destroy healthy tooth structure.
A tooth prepared for a bridge is more susceptible to decay, can be sensitive, and may be more likely to need a root canal. Dental implants avoid this. Implants maintain bone health. A dental implant integrates with the jawbone and therefore, resorption does not occur. When a tooth is lost, the surrounding bone deteriorates.
Even if a tooth bridge is placed, the area under the missing tooth will shrink. Bone deterioration is accelerated when removable appliances are worn.
Long-Term Benefits of Dental Implants
Although nothing can be guaranteed for life, dental implants offer the best possibility for this to occur. Healthy, well-maintained dental implants can function comfortably for decades. Tooth bridges can still decay, need root canal treatment, or have root fracture. Removable appliances can accelerate jawbone loss making them uncomfortable and lead to advanced aging of the face.
When a tooth is lost, or there is already missing teeth, consider dental implants as a replacement option.
Dental implants are predictable, lasting, and in the long run can save time, money, and the potential need for future dental work.
