Reasons To Say Yes To Dental Implants

Dental implants have revolutionized modern dentistry and patient’s lives for almost 60 years. When dentistry first began, patients with missing teeth had limited options which often had many drawbacks. Dental implants have given patients the ability to restore a natural-looking and comfortable feeling smile. Implants can be used to replace single teeth, multiple teeth, or your full set with great long-term success and stability.

What Are Dental Implants?

Dental implants are an artificial tooth root (made of titanium) that a periodontist or oral surgeon places into your jaw to support restorations that resemble a tooth or group of teeth. Dental implants can replace a single tooth, support multiple teeth as a bridge, or support a denture (making it more comfortable and secure). Implants are an ideal option for people in good oral health who are missing a tooth or teeth due to periodontal disease, injury, fracture, or decay. Many patients may not know that dental implants are actually more tooth saving than traditional crowns and bridges. This is because dental implants do not require the dentist to cut down healthy teeth or use adjacent teeth for support.  

For proper dental implant placement, what is needed is sufficient bone and good overall health. This combination is ideal for oseointegration, (the way bone fills in around the implant for strength). Dental implants are closely connected with the underlying bone and gum tissues in the mouth. So, a proper fit, good occlusion, and excellent oral hygiene are necessary for long-term success. With technique and material advances, dental bone grafts are now more successful than ever. They can also be used to augment your natural bone.

Dental conditions like periodontal disease, diabetes, bleeding problems, etc. can cause difficulty in placement, healing and longevity of the dental implants. Be upfront with your dentist about any health issues so that the proper steps can be taken to give you the highest chance of success. There is an increased risk of failure in patients who are smokers. For this reason, dental implants are frequently placed only after a patient has stopped smoking.

Reasons For Dental Implants

1. Aesthetics - dental implant restorations, (crowns and bridges) are matched to your existing teeth. The only two people in the world who should know you have dental implants should be you and your dentist.

2. Stability - usually, many patients choose removable dentures when missing multiple teeth. This often leads to compromises in aesthetics and function. Dental implants can replace individual teeth but can also be used as support for a removable denture. This makes them as stable as your own natural teeth.

3. Maintain Dental Health - dental implants help to maintain bone levels of the jaws. This will allow your face to maintain its natural structure as long as possible and prevent facial distortion. 

4. Low Maintenance - dental implants are stable so you won’t have to worry about them falling out, rocking, or limiting what you eat. Although dental implants can have complications, they are rare, and implants are low maintenance. You will never need a root canal on a dental implant and you will never get tooth decay. 

5. Longevity - dental implants have an over 98% success rate and should (with good dental care) last a lifetime.

6. Cost - initially, you many think that dental implants are really expensive. When you think about the facts, replacing 1 tooth with an implant is only slightly more expensive than a cemented bridge. Dental bridges generally last 10-20 years if you are diligent with your oral hygiene. A dental implant will not decay, and usually will last a lifetime with care. In the long run, it is less expensive and does not cause further damage to surrounding teeth.

Dental Implants 

Dental implants should be considered when someone is missing a tooth or multiple teeth. If you miss the smile you once had, getting dental implants can restore that smile and any missing teeth. An informed, educated patient will make the best choice for his or her dental care.