Do you have trouble speaking clearly, eating comfortably, or smiling confidently because of one or more missing teeth? Even if you aren’t experiencing these symptoms yet, it’s important to fill that gap in your smile before your teeth begin to shift, your bite becomes misaligned, and your jawbone deteriorates. While there are a variety of tooth replacement options available today, one clearly stands above the rest: dental implants. Read on as your local implant dentist explains the key differences that set this restoration apart from other tooth replacement options like bridges and dentures.
Dental Implants Protect Your Jawbone and Healthy Teeth
Your teeth play a huge role in keeping your jawbone healthy and strong. As soon as one tooth goes missing, your jawbone begins to shrink away. Tooth replacement options like dental bridges and dentures can’t provide the support your jawbone needs to prevent bone loss. Instead, they only replace the visible part of your smile, which sometimes requires altering the neighboring healthy teeth.
Dental implants are the only option that imitates a tooth both above and below the gumline. The titanium post that is inserted into the jawbone replaces the missing tooth’s roots, which stimulates blood flow and encourages bone growth. Above your gums, the sturdy restoration keeps the surrounding teeth from shifting out of place.
Dental Implants Look, Act, and Feel Like Natural Teeth
Since dental implants are securely anchored into the jawbone, they are able to closely mimic the stability and comfort of natural teeth very well. Unlike removable partial or complete dentures, you won’t feel them move or shift while you eat, talk, smile, or yawn. The restoration itself is custom-made of dental porcelain, a beautiful material that is known for looking just like a healthy, natural tooth.
Not only are dental implants more comfortable in daily life than other tooth replacement options, but they’re more functional as well. Some dental experts estimate that dentures can only restore 20-30% of the biting power of a tooth, while resin-bonded bridges aren’t built to withstand the pressure exerted on back teeth. On the other hand, dental implants can help you regain 70% or more of a tooth’s natural strength comfortably and easily wherever its placed in your smile.
Dental Implants Are a Permanent Solution
While bridges typically have a lifespan of five to ten years and dentures need to be replaced every seven to fifteen years, dental implants are meant to last for decades. They don’t need any special care or cleaning techniques either. As long as you care for them properly with regular brushing and flossing along with the rest of your natural teeth, your dental implants could last you a lifetime.
Although dental implants are a more expensive tooth replacement option, this investment in your oral health can save you money, hassle, and discomfort down the road. Almost anyone who is missing a tooth is a good candidate for dental implants, so schedule a consultation today with your implant dentist to see if this restoration option is right for you!
About the Author
If you’re missing one or more teeth, Dr. Christine Laster of Raleigh, NC can help you replace them with the next best thing: a dental implant. Using state-of-the-art techniques and partnering with the best specialists in Raleigh, she can rebuild your smile and restore your confidence. To learn more about dental implants, she can be contacted at her website or at (919) 787-0355.