Dental implants are more popular than ever when it comes to replacing missing teeth, all thanks to the unique benefits they offer as a result of being part of the jawbone. They can improve your quality of life and overall health in ways that traditional forms of tooth replacement simply can’t match. The benefits below are just a few examples of the changes you’ll enjoy on a day-to-day basis as well as over the long-term.
Stability: Dental implants are permanently fused to the jaw, and they hold crowns and other restorations firmly in place thanks to the abutment used to attach them. Thus, unlike dentures, your implants will never slip at awkward or inopportune moments.
Good Oral Hygiene: Are you worried about having to change your oral hygiene routine to accommodate for your new teeth? That’s not a problem with dental implants, which can simply be brushed and flossed as if they were real teeth. They are also extremely easy to take care of compared to other tooth replacement options, which goes a long way towards extending their lifespan.
Healthy Diet: There are many foods you’ll have to avoid without a full set of teeth. Dentures can help, but you’ll still have trouble with tough, hard, or sticky foods. Dental implants are strong enough to let you chew whatever you want.
Strong Jawbone: Many people don’t realize that the teeth play an active role in keeping the jawbone healthy and strong. Since implants replace the entire tooth structure, they can play the same role in jawbone maintenance.
Preserve Healthy Teeth: If you get a traditional dental bridge, small amounts of enamel will have to be permanently removed from your existing teeth. Getting dental implants is the more conservative option that lets you protect your healthy dental structure in the long run.
Easier to Clean: Because maintenance of dental implants is so easy, your risk for gum disease and other oral health issues is reduced. (This is especially important since healthy gums are required for your dental implants to be successful.)
A Lifelong Solution: The average lifespan of bridges and dentures is around 10 or 15 years. In comparison, dentures last a lot longer. The average lifespan is often reported to be around 30 or 35 years, but in practice it’s not uncommon for them to last the rest of your life. You’ll rarely have to pay for a replacement – if you even need one at all.
High Success Rate: Nervous about undergoing dental implant surgery? You’ll be happy to know that the success rate is around 95%, and every precaution is taken before the procedure to address potential complications.
Save Money: Not only will you not have to pay for replacements as often, but you’ll also save money on maintenance. Unlike dentures that might require adhesive and specialized cleaning solution, dental implants can be cared for with normal toothpaste, dental floss, and mouth rinse.
The cost of your dental implant treatment is largely dependent on your specific needs. Replacing a single tooth with dental implants costs far less than replacing multiple teeth or all the teeth in a given arch with a series of dental implants. The type of restoration and specific preparatory treatments (i.e. gum therapy and bone grafts) can also dramatically influence your final price tag. However, the long-term costs are generally lower than dental bridges and dentures because they do not require nearly as much repair or replacement as dental implants.