Tooth loss can detract from your daily quality of life in several ways. Many patients feel self-conscious about the changes to their appearance. Others notice a lisp or other changed speech patterns, or struggle to bite and chew a variety of foods to support their oral and overall health.
Thankfully, your dentist can rebuild your grin with dental implants. These restorations have an incredibly high success rate of more than 90% and are so reliable that many patients wonder whether it’s worth replacing their still-viable teeth, too. Continue reading to learn more about it!
What Makes Dental Implants So Strong?
Unlike alternative replacement teeth, like dentures and dental bridges, implants include a titanium support pole that’s surgically embedded directly into your jaw. Then, it can take three to six or more months to heal, because your mouth must produce enough new bone growth to completely envelop and fuse with the biocompatible metal. This is eventually capped with a dental crown (or other appropriate restoration) typically made from resilient ceramic built to resist damage.
That means implants essentially become a permanent part of your smile and can function as sturdy standalone structures that don’t rely on your gums or neighboring teeth to remain in place. As a result, they can last 25+ years if cared for correctly.
Are Dental Implants Better than Natural Teeth?
These restorations are made from durable materials intended to withstand the pressure of biting and chewing, but they’re not made from the same organic substances as your enamel. That means they won’t develop cavities like the teeth you were born with.
Not only that, but they’re also less porous than your enamel, so they can resist discoloration and minor damage, like chips and cracks. Because dental implants are incredibly resilient and lifelike, some folks wonder whether they’re ‘better’ overall.
Should I Replace Healthy Teeth with Implants?
Of all the available options, these replacements look and function the most like your natural teeth. As a result, some patients wonder if they should replace damaged chompers rather than treat them. For example, instead of undergoing a root canal and getting a dental crown, you might want to pull your troublesome tooth and place an implant instead.
However, this isn’t usually recommended. This treatment involves oral surgery, which comes with an additional risk of infection. If bacteria in your mouth penetrate the implant site, they can cause infection or disease that can lead to implant failure or travel to other areas of your body and contribute to more serious concerns, like diabetes or heart problems. Typically, repairing the teeth you were born with is the best way to preserve your dental and general health.
If you have questions about your current dental condition and whether you need dental implants, consulting your provider is the best way to get accurate answers based on your unique situation!
About the Practice
Patients at Dent-Care Dental benefit from a team of dentists with more than 30 years of combined experience. Dr. Volker, Dr. Chung, and Dr. Soleymani collaborate to provide a full menu of services to people of all ages. Whether you need a basic checkup or require a more complex procedure, like getting dental implants, they’re eager to help. They partner with the best local experts for accurate implant placement, then provide a completely customized restoration designed to match your smile seamlessly. You can request an appointment on the website or by calling (718) 937-6750.