There are many reasons Dental Implants are a wise choice for people missing one or more teeth. While the obvious benefit to my patients is the restored ability to bite and chew comfortably, there are also benefits that occur beneath the gums.
Without natural tooth roots, the bone that once supported them resorbs, which is a shrinking process. With Dental Implants supported by the jaw bone, their presence recreates stimulation that helps to preserve the bone’s mass.
Resorption is what causes a denture that fit well when first made to move and slip over time. The change in the shape of the bone alters the fit of a denture that was custom-made for the unique contours of the gum ridge (the arch where tooth roots were once helf). When the jaw bone declines in mass, this ridge flattens out over time.
Bone loss occurs when tooth roots are removed from jaw.
Some denture wearers are content with their denture. They can chew sufficiently and don’t mind having teeth that come out at night. Yet, for those who are comfortable with their denture now, being happy with its fit years later is doubtful.
The obstacle with Dental Implants, for most individuals, is the cost of treatment. Here is where I’d like to correct a misconception. The cost for treatment is based largely on the number of Dental Implants needed. However, while you may be missing several teeth or even a full arch (all upper or lower) of teeth, an implant is not needed for each missing tooth.
For example, when several teeth are missing in one area, one implant can often support a bridge of two or more teeth. Here is another advantage of a Dental Implant. Unlike a traditional crown-&-bridge that requires crowning adjacent teeth to support the bridge, an implant does not rely on neighboring teeth.
A Dental Implant is held in the jaw bone. This not only provides stability and dependability, an implant helps you protect the integrity of otherwise healthy natural teeth. This is because it is not necessary to have teeth shaved down for crowning solely to support a bridge.
Another example is when is a full arch of teeth is missing. In most cases, several implants (3-6) can be strategically positioned to support an arch of replacement teeth. Often, these are non-removable teeth that are securely ‘fixed’ to the implanted posts.
By placing a conservative (yet sufficient) number of implants, costs are more manageable for most budgets.
Regardless of what you’ve heard in the past about implant cost, I encourage you to learn about the many implant systems available today. We also offer a number of payment options that are structured to help you enjoy the benefits of Dental Implants while making affordable monthly payments.
While I want every person to have tooth replacement that is aligned to their preferences, it is their comfort ten years from now that is also a consideration. Call toll free 1-866-9-Smiles to schedule a no-cost consultation to discuss options that are best for you.
