Why dental implants are the best option, Part II
Today's article is a continuation of the subject I wrote on a couple of weeks ago: Dental implants. This is a tooth-replacement option that has gained widespread acceptance in dentistry for its safety and predictability, and yet I find that many people are not well informed about how it could benefit their individual situation.
In the last article I focused on implants as a retention mechanism for dentures (especially lower dentures), and how this added retention could dramatically improve the denture-wearing experience. Today I would like to focus on the other most common reason for getting dental implants: single tooth replacement.
It is estimated that 69 percent of adults ages 35 to 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth to an accident, gum disease, a failed root canal or due to tooth decay. In the past there have only been two real options for replacing these teeth: a fixed bridge or a removable partial denture. The problem is that most people don't like the idea of a removable device, especially if only for a single tooth. Additionally, the device will often show unattractive metal "arms" that hold on to other teeth in order to gain stability and retention.
Fixed bridgework has its problems as well. In the first place, the dentist usually has to shape or cut down other healthy teeth that are next to the missing one in order to make room for the bridge. This will reduce the expected lifespan of those teeth. Furthermore, the bridge is even more susceptible to decay and gum disease than your other teeth because of the difficulty of cleaning under and around it. Finally, even if things go well, the bridge will probably need to be replaced sometime down the road- usually in about 15 years.
Dental implants offer a third option for people wanting to replace their missing tooth or teeth. With an overall success rate of about 95 percent and almost 50 years of clinical research to back them up, dental implants are frequently the healthiest, most cosmetic, and longest-lasting treatment option for replacing missing teeth.
Cosmetically, the implant is usually indistinguishable from other teeth in the mouth. Care for the implant is the same as for your other teeth, except that it will never decay (it is still susceptible to gum disease though).
Instead of relying on other teeth in the mouth, dental implants derive their support directly from your jawbone, just like your other natural teeth. This means that the dentist never has to compromise these other teeth in order to replace the missing one. In fact, the expected longevity of these surrounding teeth is usually increased since the implant prevents them from tipping, drifting, or losing their surrounding bone.
Dr. Logan Hazard recently opened Heartwood Family Dental in Post Falls. At Heartwood we offer free exams and x-rays for all new patients, treatment for the entire family, a wonderful team, and acceptance of all insurances in the area. Call Justine today at (208) 777-1542.