More than 150 million people in the United States are missing at least one tooth, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. If you are one of them, you know that missing teeth can ruin your smile. Missing teeth can also affect how you eat and speak. 

Many people with missing teeth choose dentures or dental bridges to replace lost teeth. While dentures and bridges do an adequate job of restoring a smile, they have drawbacks. Dental bridges can look unnatural and may be difficult to take care of, for example, while dentures can slip and slide around. 

If you are missing teeth, but want something better than dentures or bridges, dental implants may be right for you. 

Why are Dental Implants So Popular?

Dentists in the United States placed more than 3 million dental implants in 2019, and many more people will likely opt for dental implants in the years to come. Changes in demographics, an aging population, increased consumer awareness about the benefits of dental implants, and technological advances in dental implants are making dental implants more popular than ever before. 

Local Dentist Discusses Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants offer a number of benefits over dentures or dental bridges.

Implants provide a permanent solution to missing teeth

Dental implants feature a metal rod embedded into your jaw. Over time, the bone in your jaw fuses with the implant to create a permanent anchor for a replacement crown that looks like a natural tooth.

While you may need to replace the dental crown every few years, your dental implant should last a lifetime.

Stability

Dentures can slip out of place when you speak or eat. Poorly fitting dentures can even fall out! Because they are anchored in your jawbone, dental implants never slip or slide. 

Strength

Made from titanium or other incredibly strong metal, dental implants are strong and durable. With dental implants, you can eat your favorite foods without worry. 

Cosmetic appeal

The dental crown used to replace a missing tooth looks like your natural teeth. Nobody will know you have lost a tooth.

Preserves existing jawbone

The act of chewing food exerts pressure on your teeth. This pressure is transferred down each tooth to its roots and to your jawbone. The bone reacts to this pressure by growing new bone tissue, which makes your jawbone strong enough to hold your teeth in place.

When you lose a tooth, your jawbone no longer receives the beneficial pressure that prompts it to grow new bone tissue – this means your jawbone starts to lose its strength, shape, and density. In time, the bone that holds nearby teeth can weaken, putting you in danger of losing even more teeth. Loss of jawbone can also change the shape of your face to cause signs of premature aging. 

Dental implants are root replacements that allow beneficial pressure to travel and promote bone growth and strength. 

Dental implants do not require preparation of adjacent teeth

A dental bridge needs sturdy support to stay in place. To create this support, the dentist attaches the dental bridge to the teeth on either side of the gap created by the missing tooth. Your dentist starts by filing down the adjacent teeth, known as abutment teeth, so that they can hold the bridge in place. 

Dental implants do not require any work to the abutment teeth. 

Implants are cost-effective

While dental implants cost more than dentures or dental bridges, it is a one-time investment - dentures and dental bridges have a limited lifespan and need replacing every 7 to 15 years, whereas dental implants can lasts a lifetime. Dental implants also provide a much greater return in cosmetic appeal and convenience. 

Implants promote oral health

Unlike the teeth you were born with, dental implants never develop cavities or tooth decay. While you still have to brush and floss to maintain healthy gums, oral hygiene with dental implants is much easier than with dentures or bridges - just brush and floss as normal. What’s more, dental implants leave your abutment teeth intact, which leads to better oral health in the long run. 

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Implant-Secured Dentures

If you have dentures or know someone who does, you know that dentures can slip and slide. Dentures can also feel uncomfortable and look unnatural. Wouldn’t it be great if your dentures fit well and stayed in place? Implant-secured dentures provide amazing stability and natural-feeling function. 

Implant-secured dentures are dentures that snap securely to a metal post surgically implanted into your jaw. Benefits of implant-secured dentures include:

• Strength
• Stability
• Improved jawbone strength
• Improved comfort - implants eliminate “hot spots,” which are painful sore spots caused by dentures
• Clearer speech

For more information about dental implants and implant-supported dentures, consult with our dentists. Our team of dental professionals is glad to help you restore your smile!

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