If you have missing teeth, you have several options to replace them. Dental implants, dental bridges, and dentures are all options. However, dental implants offer many advantages over the other options. Dr. Ray Becker, an implant dentist in Columbia, MD, offers several options for replacing missing, damaged, or decayed teeth.
Here, he discusses the benefits of dental implants in his Columbia, MD, office. Dental implants offer many advantages over traditional dental bridges and dentures.
The Benefits of Dental Implants in Columbia, MD
Dental implants are the premier restoration for one or more missing permanent teeth. The many advantages of treatment with dental implants in our office include:
Strong Restorations
Dental implants are the most durable tooth replacement option. The metal implant posts can last a lifetime if you take good care of them and maintain oral health. Implant posts use titanium, a material also used for artificial joints.
Once the jaw bone grows around the implant posts, the posts become a new artificial tooth root. While you must replace the dental restoration due to normal wear and tear, it will last much longer than traditional dentures and bridges.
Comfort
A dental implant-supported restoration is the most comfortable option for replacing missing teeth. Implant restorations are designed to mimic the feel and function of your natural teeth.
Dentures may feel bulky, cause sores on the gums from rubbing, and can move around in your mouth. A dental bridge may cause unnecessary pressure on the abutment teeth. Once you are used to your dental implant restoration, it will feel like your natural teeth.
Functional Bite
Out of all the missing teeth solutions, dental implants function the most like natural teeth. This dental restoration allows you to eat, speak, and smile confidently. They are also the strongest option for biting and chewing.
Compared to other restorations, implant restorations improve the bite function by at least 80 percent. Dentures and bridges that do not use implants will not restore as much function. Restorations that do not use implant support can slip when you eat or drink.
Less Food Restrictions
With dental implants, your bite function is closer to that of a person with natural teeth. Since the implants are firmly in place, they allow you to bite and chew your food with force.
If you wear traditional dentures, you must avoid hard and crunchy foods. Many fruits and vegetables fall under this category. Avoiding these foods can lead to nutritional problems. If you do not get enough vitamins and minerals from softer foods, you deprive yourself of essential nutrients.
Bone Health
Dental implants are the only missing teeth solution to preserve the bone in the jaw. After you lose a tooth, the jaw bone will begin to deteriorate. This will change the whole shape of your face, causing deep wrinkles and facial sagging.
Once we insert an implant, it will provide enough stimulation to support the jaw bone. Preventing bone loss helps maintain the face’s natural shape. Because implants act like artificial tooth roots, they support the surrounding bone.
Long-term Cost-effectiveness
Dental implants will initially cost more than removable dentures or traditional bridges. However, implants may be the cheaper way to replace teeth in the long run. If taken care of properly, dental implant posts will last forever.
Since the bone will not deteriorate, the dental bridge or denture will not need to be repaired or replaced as often. Traditional dentures also need rebasing. This extra maintenance and repair can add up over the years. In many cases, bridge and denture cost may exceed the cost of dental implants.
Does Not Harm Healthy Teeth
A dental implant restoration will only replace missing teeth and never harm any healthy remaining teeth. We can restore multiple teeth without preparing other natural teeth.
Alternatively, a traditional dental bridge will require adjacent teeth to hold it in place. These teeth must be permanently reduced in size and will endure extra pressure.
Improved Self-Confidence
People who wear a dental implant-supported restoration have improved self-confidence. Missing tooth gaps, especially in the smile zone, can cause you to hide your teeth when you eat, laugh, or smile. Hiding your smile around others can make socializing difficult.
Implants are the most like real teeth. You don’t need to be self-conscious about your appearance or hide your smile. Your new teeth will look, function, and feel like real teeth.
What Happens During Implant Treatment?
The implant treatment process is different from treatment with traditional bridges and removable dentures. When you receive a traditional bridge, a dentist must prepare natural teeth on either side of your tooth gap. Dental implants do not require reducing natural, healthy teeth.
Additionally, dentists use adhesive to secure a removable denture. Removable dentures can easily slip around the mouth, which makes it hard to speak and eat properly. While it may take less time to get removable restorations, you can sacrifice the quality of your restoration for quicker treatment.
Before implant treatment, we ensure you are healthy and have enough healthy jaw bone tissue to support your implants. Pretreatments help your implants last and reduce the chance of implant failure.
During the implant process, we place the titanium implant post in the jaw bone. Once the implant fuses to the jaw bone, we place an abutment. Finally, we attach the custom-made crown, bridge, or denture. While implant treatment can take longer than a traditional restoration, the result makes this time worth it for most patients.
Get Implants Today
Implants offer many more benefits than dental bridges and dentures. Please visit our offices in Columbia and Ellicott City, MD, to learn more about the benefits of dental implants. Call (410) 415-9013 to make your next visit. You can also schedule an appointment with Dr. Ray Becker online.
Please let us know if you have any questions about dental implants. We’re here to help you find the best option for you.
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