Dental implants have grown rapidly in popularity to become one of the most widely used restorative treatment options today. They can let individuals with missing teeth enjoy a strong, beautiful, and full smile once again. However, many patients have questions about just what this treatment option has to offer.
Dental implants are a restorative dentistry treatment option that can help patients who are missing one, several, or all of their natural teeth. They are incredibly versatile and often the best option available.
The dental implants themselves are small titanium posts. These posts are embedded in the jaw bone through dental implant surgery. They have a screw-like base for insertion and maintaining a stronghold. Over the course of a few months, the implants integrate with natural bone tissue in a process called osseointegration to provide a lasting foundation.
Once the foundation is ready, implant restorations, such as crowns, bridges, or full arch replacements, are attached. This provides a natural-looking smile that has similar strength and stability to natural teeth, letting you eat and speak naturally.
The number of dental implant posts varies depending on the specific restoration. Individual crowns require their own posts, a bridge requires two, and a full arch replacement for an entire row of teeth will need four or more.
What other treatment options are there?
Dental implants are suitable for many situations, but aren’t the only options. Alternative treatment options could be available, depending on your case.
Dental Bridges
Dental bridges can replace a tooth or several teeth. They are anchored on two natural teeth (one on either end) as support. The anchor teeth will be decreased in size so that they can be covered with a natural-looking crown, and one or more crowns are shaped to fit in between the two anchor teeth, eliminating the gap and giving you the ability to smile and chew naturally again.
Partial Dentures
A partial denture may be used in place of a bridge or implant. It fills the gap differently from a bridge in two main ways. One, it uses a gum-shaped piece to hold it in place rather than anchor teeth and is removable. And two, a partial denture can replace a longer row of missing teeth or even fill in missing teeth that aren’t in a row. For instance, if you were missing two teeth on one side of your lower arch and three teeth on the other side, a partial denture could be formed that would fill in all the gaps.
Dentures
Dentures have long been the go-to solution for individuals missing all of their natural teeth. They are used to replace a full arch of missing teeth at once. If all your teeth are missing, two dentures are constructed; one for the lower arch and one for the upper arch.
Implants vs. Dentures
When you’re considering implants vs. dentures, dental implants can provide a more natural eating and speaking ability. There’s also the improved confidence that comes with implants, and implants aren’t removed every night like dentures.
Why have dental implants become so popular?
Dental implants are becoming more popular for many reasons. The success rate is one major example, which sits around 90% to 95% over 10 years. Dental implants are durable and long lasting, which is exactly what patients want from dental restorations. A study published in the International Journal of Implant Dentistry found 99% of patients reported satisfaction with implants at the five-year mark.
There have also been improvements in overall treatment time for dental implants. While waiting up to six months has been common in the past, new methods allow for faster integration. A study published in the International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants found new implant methods reduce healing time to just over three months.
Misconceptions You Might Have About Dental Implants
Even though their popularity has soared, many people are still unaware of some of the key facts about dental implants. They might be concerned about the price or the implant risks associated with surgery.
Dental implants are often more affordable than they appear at first blush. While the initial surgery and restoration placement cost more than dentures, dentures must be replaced when they get loose due to jaw shrinkage. Implant posts last for life, and the crowns, bridges, or full arch replacements they support can last 25 years.
Implant surgery is more complicated than most standard dental procedures but is minor compared to other surgeries. It’s a straightforward procedure that has excellent success rates. Even though it takes months for the implants to fully integrate with the bone, patients recover from any soreness or swelling within just a few days.
More Reasons To Choose Dental Implants
Most people know that dental implants are strong and natural looking, but did you know they also help secure long-term oral health? Patients missing all of their teeth can suffer from jaw bone deterioration, even if they use dentures. Dental implants help prevent jawbone deterioration in much the same way that natural teeth do.
Dental implants also help prevent orthodontic issues. If you have one or several missing teeth, other teeth around them may shift into their place. This can cause bite issues, crowding, and other problems that would require braces or other orthodontic treatment. Dental implants prevent this from happening by occupying that space.
Dental Implants Near Maryville, MO
Still not sure about dental implants? The best way to find out whether they’re right for you is to visit Compass Dental Group. We’ll evaluate your individual needs and develop an effective restorative treatment plan, which could include dental implants. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.
