Why You Should Consider Dental Implants

Wondering if this solution is right for your needs? Here are a few scenarios where you should talk to your dentist about this option.

If you just want to replace a single missing tooth, the two main options are dental implants or a dental bridge. Dentures can only work if you have several missing teeth in a row. With dental implants, your dentist can carefully craft the implant so that it matches the shape and color of the rest of your teeth and blends in perfectly.

As indicated above, a bridge can be an option if you just need to replace one or a few teeth. However, to put in a bridge, your dentist needs to attach the bridge to the teeth surrounding the gap. To make that possible, they have to shave down part of the tooth. With a dental implant, this does not have to happen.

Dental implants can last nearly a lifetime. But while the titanium root should last forever, you may need to replace the crown. For instance, if you get in a car accident or suffer any other type of facial trauma, your crown may get cracked and need replacement. In contrast, dentures need to be replaced every several years.

Beyond needing to be replaced occasionally, dentures have other features that some people do not find appealing. Although contemporary dentures fit better than the dentures from a generation ago, they still do not offer the stability of dental implants, which are permanently affixed to your mouth and never move.

Additionally, most dentures need to be taken out and cleaned every night. Implants just need routine dental care. As long as you brush and floss as recommended by your dentist, you do not have to take any extra care for your dental implants.

When you lose your teeth, you do not just get a gap in your smile. Your jawbone can also start to deteriorate. In fact, missing teeth are one of the most common causes of jawbone deterioration. If you have ever seen someone whose face seems to just fall in around the jawline, they may have lost bone in that area.

Essentially, when you lose teeth, your jawbone senses that it no longer has an integral role to play in your body, and your body starts to absorb it. This can even happen when you have dentures, and your dentures will not fit well as a result.

However, when you get dental implants, the root goes into your jaw, and the bone ossifies around it. Once the prosthetic root is in place, the jawbone does not start to deteriorate, and your jawline stays looking strong.

To learn more about dental implants and whether or not they are the right solution for you, contact us today. At the Pittsburgh Dental Spa, we offer a number of dental services including cosmetic dentistry, teeth whitening, routine exams, and more. We pride ourselves on having an environment that is comforting and calming for all our patients.