The advantages of dental implants are the topic of this week’s Dental Center 4Smile blog! Teeth are designed to last a lifetime, but that’s not always the case! Replacing a lost tooth is important for overall health and the health of other teeth. Not only do you lose the ability to chew when a tooth is lost, but the lack of a tooth can also have consequences for other teeth. Additionally, there are obvious issues with appearance and loss of self-confidence.
When it comes to replacing missing or damaged teeth, you have several options. However, one option stands out above the rest, and that’s dental implants. Replacement of lost teeth with dental implants has been used for over 50 years and is proven to be the most effective therapy for replacing a natural tooth.
Dental implants offer advantages that other options for tooth replacement, such as dentures or bridges, simply cannot provide. Here are the main advantages of this innovative therapy:
ADVANTAGES OF DENTAL IMPLANTS
Dental implant prevents bone loss:
When you lose teeth, you are also prone to losing bone mass in the jaw. Your jawbone needs the stimulation that you will get by replacing the tooth with a dental implant. The reason for this is the long-term preservation of bone.
Dental implant matches natural teeth:
Dental implants come in different shapes and sizes. Your dentist in Zagreb, Ivan Antolković, will work with you to design a ceramic crown on the dental implant that matches the color of your surrounding teeth and fits perfectly into the dental arch. No one except you and your dentist Ivan Antolković will know which teeth are replaced by dental implants.
Dental implant restores bite force:
Since dental implants are anchored in the jaw with a titanium screw, which replaces the root of the tooth, they allow you to bite with almost the same amount of force as you could use with your natural teeth. Other options for tooth replacement do not restore nearly the same bite force because they sit on top of the gums and are not anchored in place.
Dental implant prevents changes in the shape of your face:
Teeth contribute to the structure of the face. When you lose teeth, you lose that support, which eventually causes your face to change shape, making you look older. Dental implants provide support for the face just like natural teeth, preventing a change in shape.
Dental implant enables natural speech:
Some options for tooth replacement, such as dentures, can affect the ability to pronounce words correctly. Missing teeth can also alter speech. Since dental implants create the sensation and functionality of natural teeth, they allow you to speak easily and naturally.
Dental implant is easy to care for:
Caring for dental implants is simple! Dental implants do not require you to buy special cleaning or care products. No need for cups, cleaning tablets, adhesive… Just brush and floss as usual, at least twice a day. A possible recommendation from dentist Ivan Antolković, for those who dislike dental floss, is the use of an oral irrigator (waterpik).
No uncomfortable slipping:
Patients with dentures sometimes feel uncomfortable during speech, laughter, or eating in public because dentures can visibly shift or slip into your mouth. Dental implants are firmly anchored in place and will never embarrass you.
Dental implant supports adjacent teeth:
The gap in the mouth caused by a lost tooth can cause the teeth on both sides to change positions, leading to misalignment. Dental implants fill the gap, allowing you to maintain a straight and aligned smile.
Dental implant is a long-term solution for tooth loss:
Other options for tooth replacement will need regular repairs or replacements, while dental implants with good oral hygiene can last a lifetime.
Dental implants vs. removable dentures:
Fixed and semi-fixed works on dental implants provide much greater stability and chewing force than conventional dentures.
Dental implants provide a far superior experience compared to dentures. Even dentures that initially fit well for a patient begin to slide and fall out. Over time, they become uncomfortable, and due to increased bone loss, regular relining of the denture is necessary.
Frustrating aspect of removable dentures is their weak chewing ability:* Many have to limit their diet because they cannot chew certain foods with their dentures.
Dental implants vs. dental bridges:
- A dental implant is a more affordable and natural replacement for a tooth than a dental bridge.
- A dental bridge requires grinding down adjacent teeth.
- A dental bridge is a prosthetic replacement consisting of at least two connected dental crowns. It is used to replace one or more missing teeth.
Dental bridge also requires grinding down two, often healthy, teeth, which is not an ideal way to replace a missing tooth compared to a dental implant. Dental bridges have a limited lifespan, with good oral hygiene, of about 15 years at most. In comparison, a dental implant can last a lifetime. Therefore, although a dental bridge may sometimes be more economical initially, the dental implant is still a long-term solution.
Dental implants provide long-term value and can be an excellent investment in long-term oral health. If you need the option of replacing teeth, you should definitely consider dental implants. To find out if you are a good candidate for dental implants, schedule a free examination at Dental Center 4Smile.
