Dental implants permanently replace missing teeth and help the jawbone regain or maintain its integrity. Neither dental bridges or removable dentures can boast these abilities.
Placed directly into the jawbone, dental implants stimulate the bone to keep resorption from occurring, which causes an aged or sunken facial appearance. Since a crown or full arch of teeth securely attach to dental implants, patients have a natural looking smile that will never slip out of place.
Dental implants:
- Are worth the investment and last long-term
- Help retain one’s facial features and smile
- Protect jawbone structure and density
- Protect healthy teeth (if needing only a single dental implant)
- Keep teeth in place
- Allow consumption of a varied and healthy diet
- Resist tooth decay
If you want to replace missing teeth, dental implants might be a viable option for you. Call our Lakewood, WA practice at (253) 329-8858 to schedule an appointment.
Cost Analysis
Although dental implants can cost a significant amount upfront, they are durable and permanent. In most cases, you will not need to replace your dental implants, unlike other devices, such as bridges or dentures.
Taking care of your dental implants by brushing and flossing daily, along with visiting the dentist regularly for preventive care such as cleanings and examinations, will ensure the longevity and use of your prosthetic teeth. Traditional dentures often need care, maintenance, and replacement, which can result in added expenses to their initial cost.
Avoid Facial Changes Caused by Missing Teeth
Absence of teeth and their roots cause the jawbone to weaken, since the roots that used to stimulate bone health are missing. When the jawbone undergoes loss of form, one’s facial appearance will change and appear to “shrink” or withdraw. This shrinkage can change the angles of one’s face and can make a person appear older.
Dental implants replace missing teeth and their roots to keep the jawbone from continuing to lose mass. Removable dentures rest on top of the gums and do not benefit the jawbone as dental implants can. Bone grafting can also help regenerate the jawbone if necessary.
Protect the Jawbone and Teeth
Because dental implants mimic tooth roots and their functions, they can help prevent the jawbone from deteriorating. Once integrated into the jawbone, the titanium implant helps stimulate the jaw for bone health. If a patient needs only one dental implant, it will keep the teeth around it from shifting into the missing tooth’s place. Dentures do not replace missing teeth roots, therefore lacking in the benefits of implant-based restorations.
Eat Your Favorite Foods
Some removable dentures can affect how you eat and how you taste food. With implant-based dentures, you can enjoy crunchy, sticky, and chewy foods without worry that they will dislodge your teeth. Without a limited diet, you will be able to consume a variety of nutritious foods.
Enjoy Improved Mouth Function
When adjusting to removable dentures, some people find that pronouncing words or speaking becomes difficult. With dental implants that function and fit like natural teeth, you will no longer have these issues. You can rest assured that actions like laughing or talking with friends won’t result in wobbly teeth.
Dental implants have many advantages over conventional dentures. Call us at (559) 297-1294 at Fresno Dental Studio to learn more about dental implants.