Are you missing teeth as a result of injury, decay or a full tooth extraction?
If you are like the majority of people, you may find this to be uncomfortable and unsightly. And just like that same majority of people, you want to get it fixed. Well, not to worry, there are plenty of options available to you to help replace one or more missing teeth. One of the most popular options among them in recent years is the dental implant.
Dental implants have been around for thousands of years and have only continued to improve over that large period of time. Specifically, the advancements of implant technology over the last decade or so have especially helped them leap to a leading position among preferred tooth replacement options.
Dental implants are unsurprisingly popular. They have many advantages over similar treatments such as removable dentures and dental bridges. Below are just a few of their many advantages.
Dental implants are fixed in place
Dental implants are effective replacement tooth roots. They are surgically affixed to the jaw in the same manner as roots, allowing full crowns (replacement teeth) to be affixed firmly to them.
This helps them function just as a natural tooth would and sets them apart from removable dentures and bridges that only connect to neighboring teeth. Both of the latter options allow for the continued movement and loss of bone material.
They are permanent
The fixed nature of dental implants makes them essentially as permanent as a natural tooth. As previously mentioned, dentures and bridges are not fixed to the jaw. This allows the jawbone and other elements to shift and move. For that reason, dentures and bridges may require visits to the dentist for resizing and refitting over time.
Permanently affixed implants, however, support the jaw and neighboring teeth just like a real tooth would.
They are durable
Since implants are attached to the jaw the same way as regular teeth – with the implant structure instead of natural roots – they can withstand similar amounts of force and pressure.
This means that most implant wearers are able to eat the same foods they used to enjoy, such as crunchy nuts and thick steaks. Removable dentures can still make it difficult to enjoy these types of food. What’s more, dentures are extremely fragile, meaning they can easily break if dropped.
They do not require extra maintenance
Dental implants require as much maintenance as your natural teeth. This includes daily brushing, flossing and mouth rinse.
Removable dentures require much more maintenance, however, as they must be removed and specially cleaned regularly. Dental bridges can also require extra work, as the small gap between them and the gum can create a haven for stuck food and bacteria growth.
Dental implants could mean fewer trips to the dentist
Since the bones of the jaw can still shift with non-fixed options like dentures and bridges. Therefore, these options may require additional trips to the dentist to ensure they are still sitting correctly and aligned with your mouth and the rest of your teeth. With implants, you should ideally only need to visit your dentist twice per year for routine cleanings and exams unless you are experiencing another issue.
Would you like to learn about a family dentist in Idaho Falls that specializes in quality, professional dental implants? Contact Zirker Family Dentistry today! Give us a call at (208)-502-8814 or reach us online.