How Dental Implants Make You Better!

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Having dental implants replace missing teeth and ill-fitting dentures can allow for a more active lifestyle, speech that is more clear and confident, and the opportunity to enjoy the foods requiring a solid bite. Having dental implants inexpensively placed by an affordable expert dental implant specialist will provide renewed self-confidence in one's personal and professional relationships.

Dentures are often a poor tooth-replacement option because they frequently restrict the enjoyment of eating certain foods, cause embarrassment when they click or slip, and cause wearers to look and feel older than they are. Many traditional denture wearers mumble or slur their words due to slipping from ill-fitting devices or lack of bone support due to bone loss. Those who have dental-implant-retained devices usually do not have these problems because dental implants provide support that does not allow the attached devices to slip or impede eating or talking. (Click here to view a 3D video about replacing all missing teeth with affordable dental-implant-supported devices.)

Dental implants eliminate the discomfort associated with traditional dentures, which offer poor support due to bone loss. After receiving dental implants, one will usually be able to speak and smile more naturally without worrying about teeth moving around or falling out. The plastic extensions of a traditional denture cover the roof of one's mouth and cheek folds next to the jaw, often causing choking and irritation of the gums. This complication is eliminated with dental-implant-supported devices because these kinds of extensions are not necessary to stabilize them.

A palateless overdenture (no plastic roof) supported by dental implants will help provide a more comfortable and secure fit. It will also minimize movement and discomfort common with traditional dentures, without the need to cover the palate and extend into the soft tissue folds of the cheek where they join the gum that covers the jawbone. Retention comes directly from implant supports themselves, not suction, which is necessary to support a traditional upper denture. Many older adults are finding greater comfort and confidence with their dentures by securing them with dental implants, and are then able to enjoy foods they couldn't eat with their regular dentures. (Click here to view a 3D video of replacement of all missing teeth with dental implants).

A removable partial denture is traditionally used when only some teeth are missing. This type of dental device is anchored to remaining teeth on either side of empty spaces using metal clasps (clamps) that often damage the teeth they are attached to and the bone supporting those teeth over time. Removable partial dentures may also be hard on adjacent gum tissue when the wearer is chewing or talking. (Click here to view a 3D video on replacing multiple missing teeth with dental implants).

Traditional dental bridges often look nice and are non-removable, but they require cutting or “shaving down” teeth adjacent to the space being filled to receive supporting dental crowns. The dental crowns are cemented to teeth that hold these bridges, and may cause bone loss by irritating gums.  Dental crowns and bridges cemented to teeth also often decay because the cement attaching the dental crowns to supporting teeth dissolves over time. Later those same supporting teeth may develop root canal problems long after they were originally cut or “shaved down” to make way for tooth-supported dental crowns or bridges. Additionally, there is often additional tooth or bone loss. Bridges frequently require replacing several times over the course of a lifetime due to the frequency of some or all of these complications.

Dental implants are not susceptible to cavities (dental decay) and are usually much less susceptible to bone loss (peri-implant disease). Dental-implant-supported devices are removable by the dentist or patient for ease of maintenance, which is usually simpler and less costly than maintenance of traditional devices. When properly cared for, most dental implants have the potential to last a lifetime.