The number of people in America getting dental implants is growing and continues to increase every year. Why are people choosing dental implants over other options? Simply put, they are the best and most natural option for missing teeth. When properly cared for, implants are the next best thing to your natural teeth. Dentists across the country recommend implants over dentures, partial dentures, and bridges.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are like artificial roots. They look a lot like screws and are surgically positioned into the jawbone under your gums. They serve as strong and stable support for crowns and other artificial teeth.
Here are five reasons you should choose getting implants over other alternatives.
Bone Health
Unlike bridges and dentures, dental implants are the only artificial tooth option that maintains alveolar bone. Similar to how walking and other exercises strengthen your bones, the act of chewing stimulates your jaw. Without your teeth, the jaw bone deteriorates. In the first year you can lose up to 25% of jaw bone volume, and the deterioration will only continue. Because implants are located within the bone itself, like teeth roots, it acts like a natural tooth and encourages bone growth.
More Comfortable
Eating is far more comfortable with implants. Dentures can break or loosen over time (that pesky bone deterioration) and will need to be replaced. Implants are permanent, and you take care of them the same way you take care of your natural teeth. The screws that are put in your jaw bone bond together to create a sturdy base that supports the crowns. So you can feel confident eating without having to worry about breaking a tooth. You won’t need to worry about sensitive gums or need to chew with caution. You can treat implants like they are natural teeth. Most people who have implants say that they can’t feel a difference between them and their natural teeth.
They look better
Along with enjoying your ability to eat, you can also feel more confident with the look of real natural teeth. Your morning routine would be the same as anyone else. Without having to clean your dentures or bridge every morning, you can feel more confident with your teeth. And unlike dentures, you don’t have to send them into the shop for the occasional adjustment.
Maintain Tooth Health
Dental bridges consist of a false tooth supported by the neighboring teeth. While a good idea in theory, in addition to the aforementioned bone loss, bridges require drastic alteration to the adjacent teeth. Dental implants allow you to restore function and cosmetics without damaging other teeth.
Dental Implants are Cheaper
Getting implants will save you financially in the long run. They are expensive upfront, they are permanent and are meant to last a lifetime. Dentures or bridges often break and need adjustment or replacing. In addition to the financial burden of the denture or bridge itself, alveolar degeneration will ultimately mean poor health for the neighboring teeth. Meaning more dental work.
Implants have a 98% success rate and are more likely to succeed when your teeth healthy. Patients with no bone, health conditions or bad habits may be unable to get an implant. But with bone reconstructions and other diagnostics have made it possible for more patients to get implants. Talk to your dentist today about dental implants and see if you are a candidate!