Dental Implants – It Can Pay to Spend
Surprisingly, you are not alone if you are missing a tooth. The fact is 35 million Americans are missing all of their teeth in at least one jaw! Astonishing Right?
Whether it is one tooth or many, we cannot impress enough how important it is to replace what is missing. The potential drawbacks to doing nothing are directly proportional to the increase in ability to ignore the problem.
- Eating Impediments
- Speech Interference
- Unaesthetic Appearance
- … and More
The most affordable options are traditional bridges and dentures for replacing teeth. Yes, dental implants are pricier but offer an important extra benefit. However, dental implants are a long-term solution. Tooth implants are tiny titanium, screw-like substitutes for a tooth’s natural root to which natural-looking dental crowns are attached. Not only does it address the common problems previously mentioned, by acting like the original tooth root, an implant can maintain or stimulate “remodeling,” of the jawbone.
Without a tooth root to provide stimulation, mature bone cells will continue to be removed, or resorbed, but no new bone cells will regenerate to replace them, leading to a progressive loss of bone width, height, and density. The increasing number of lost teeth along with less supportive bone structure, the whole shape of the face can change.
Sometimes, implants can become financially unrealistic for some due to the high number of teeth that require replacement. There is an option for some cases: a bridge or denture/implant hybrid. A bridge is intended to fill a gap when multiple teeth are missing, an implant can be used on either side of the gap to support the bridge, leaving the natural teeth undisturbed. Strategically placed implants can be used to support a removable denture.
If you would like more information about dental implants, please contact Summerfield Family Dentistry by calling 336-643-1440 to schedule a consultation appointment.