If you have replaced lost teeth with bridges, partials, or dentures, you haven’t missed your chance to invest in dental implants. Unlike traditional prosthetics, a dental implant replaces the entire tooth structure. This creates the next best thing to a real tooth to provide unmatched benefits. Most people with good oral and general health are candidates for dental implants, even if you have existing restorations. Here’s what you need to know to make the swap.
How Dental Implants Work
Traditional bridges and dentures replace the portions of teeth above the gum line. Although they are effective, they have their limitations. Dental implants give you the support of your jawbone by recreating both the root and the crown.
A titanium post is surgically placed into your jaw to serve as a new root. An abutment is placed on the post to connect a customized restoration. If you’re missing several or all your teeth, each tooth isn’t replaced individually. Instead, a certain number of dental implants are used to support a bridge or denture.
Your dentist can remove existing restorations to benefit from dental implants. Depending on your situation, your treatment may include a little prep work, like tooth extractions or gum disease therapy.
Benefits of Dental Implants
You can’t put a price on the benefits you’ll gain by investing in dental implants. They provide many advantages not possible with a regular bridge or denture, including:
- Looks and Feels Natural: Your implants are hidden below your gum tissue while providing support for a customized restoration made of all-ceramic material. You’ll benefit from unmatched stability, so you’ll never have to worry about slipping or irritation.
- High Success Rate: Dental implants have over a 95% success rate and are proven to last for 30 years or longer with the right aftercare, like brushing and flossing.
- Jawbone Preservation: You can lose 25% of your jaw’s density within the first year of losing a tooth because it isn’t being stimulated by the root. A dental implant is the only solution to stop bone loss because it replaces the entire structure.
- Cost-Effective Method: Dental implants cost more initially, but they are the most affordable over all because they never need to be replaced. They also improve your oral health to lower your long-term dental expenses.
You will never have to worry about an incomplete smile again. Your old restorations will become a distant memory and you’ll never think twice before showing off your new pearly whites.
About Dr. James K. Kramer
Dr. Kramer earned his dental degree from the Temple University School of Dentistry and has regularly continued his education in various specialties, including dental implants. He is affiliated with several professional organizations, including the International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Contact our office at (302) 200-3772 for an appointment.