Why Den­tal Implants Are the Clos­est Thing to Nat­ur­al Teeth

The most cost-effective solution to a missing tooth will often be a dental bridge or a partial denture, but when you consider the lifetime cost of these restoration options, this isn’t always the best choice.

With a denture or bridge, you’re going to have to think about replacing this multiple times throughout the rest of your life. Thankfully, there is a permanent restoration option available

Dental implants offer a novel approach to missing teeth. This treatment is the closest thing we have to getting a second chance with our natural teeth. The implant functions as close to the natural tooth root as possible, allowing you to restore not just the aesthetic look, but also the full function of the tooth.

In this guide, we’re exploring how dental implants work and why they offer the closest thing to a natural tooth as possible.

What is a dental implant?

If you’re new to the concept of dental implants, let us explain this as simply as possible without the usual jargon and medical information.

A dental implant is a small screw that is put in the jawbone in place of a missing tooth root. The bone heals around the screw, creating a strong bond. We can then attach an artificial tooth to the top of the screw to complete the restoration.

This is the closest thing we have to replacing a natural tooth. This treatment plan offers a number of benefits over alternatives; the main one being that it is a permanent restoration. The implant is designed to last a lifetime.

Benefits of dental implants

As mentioned, this is a permanent restoration. While you might need to repair or replace the crown or bridge on top of the implant, the post of the implant will last a lifetime with the right care. This can mean that the lifetime cost of this restoration is much lower than alternative treatment plans such as a bridge or partial denture. Other benefits include:

• Dental implants help to maintain jaw function. With a denture, the force of your bite is absorbed by your gums. And with a bridge, the force of your bite is absorbed by the surrounding teeth. With dental implants, the implant replicates the role of the tooth root and distributes the force of your bite into your jaw bone. This helps to maintain the bone density in your jaw and avoid loss of jaw bone that is associated with tooth loss. With a denture, a shrinking jaw bone will mean that your denture needs to be regularly resized to fit your mouth.

• This restoration looks and feels very natural. No one would ever need to know that you have an artificial tooth. Dental implants can even be used to support an entire arch restoration, which could remove the need for wearing removable dentures. The plate for an implant-retained denture is much smaller than a conventional denture, which can make it much more comfortable.

• This restoration is very secure. You don’t have to worry about your denture slipping or coming loose, which can be a huge source of relief for those who are self-conscious about tooth loss.

• No foods are off limits. With a bridge or a denture, you might have to be more careful with your choice of foods. This could mean that healthy foods like fruits and vegetables are off limits. With dental implants, you can eat a normal and varied diet, which can help to avoid nutritional deficiencies.

• Inspires better oral care habits. When you get dental implants, you get a second chance at caring for your teeth. In an effort to protect their investment, most people will be inspired to take much better care of their teeth by brushing, flossing and attending regular checkups.

Final thoughts on dental implants

If you’re curious to learn how dental implants could help you, get in touch with our team today. We can help you to determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants and get the process started for your transformation.