Why Dental Implants Are the Best Choice for Replacing Missing Teeth
Apr 01, 2023
You have a missing tooth or teeth. If the empty space is in the front of your mouth, you want a replacement as soon as possible; you likely feel embarrassed about it and may smile with your mouth closed. Even if it’s in the back, you know you must replace the tooth to keep your gums and jaws healthy.
Dr. Scott McPherson with Ballpark Heights Family Dentistry provides state-of-the-art cosmetic and general dentistry services with a patient-friendly approach that keeps you feeling comfortable and respected throughout your visit.
Dr. McPherson discusses all your options for replacing a missing tooth or teeth, along with the pros and cons of each. He also explains why he recommends dental implants as the gold standard for replacing missing teeth.
Before dental implant technology became successful enough for widespread use, dentists used bridges or dentures to replace missing teeth. Both of these older options ride on the surface of your gums.
A dental implant, on the other hand, is fixed into your jaw with a titanium root that adheres to your bone as it heals. Then Dr. McPherson affixes a natural-looking crown on top of the titanium post, and you have a beautiful new tooth.
Dental implants offer many benefits for your oral health as well as cosmetic benefits.
Because an implant anchors into your bone, it provides stability and prevents bone loss that occurs when your body reabsorbs bone tissue that doesn’t receive stimulation from chewing. Bridges and dentures that ride on top of your gums can’t offer the same stability. Over time, your face can lose definition as your jaw loses bone density through remodeling, leading to facial deformities. Dental implants prevent that.
In addition, dentures can slip and slide when you’re eating foods that require a lot of chewing. Implants avoid potential embarrassment when you’re out to dinner.
With implants, you can eat normally and enjoy steaks and other favorite foods that require a lot of chewing. Dentures impair your ability to bite down hard enough to chew tougher foods easily, and bridges aren’t as strong as implants.
Once you have implants, you simply brush and floss twice daily as usual. Dentures require messy cleaning solutions that you soak in a cup.
Implants should last for the rest of your life with good oral hygiene. A good dental bridge may last for decades but may need repair, and dentures need replacing every 10 to 15 years, if not sooner.
Dr. McPherson develops a personalized plan based on your needs. You may only need one implant are several. We also offer implant systems that are excellent alternatives to full or partial dentures.
Call Ballpark Heights Family Dentistry or book an appointment online today for expert dental care that keeps your smile healthy.