Living with missing teeth is a common oral health issue that affects patients of all ages. Be that as it may, a proper teeth replacement procedure must be performed after losing a tooth to ensure lasting oral health and proper function. 

Today, dental implants are highly regarded as one of the most effective teeth replacement options. Below is everything you should know about these versatile and effective forms of treatment.

What are dental implants?

Dental implants are a type of restorative dentistry treatment that can be used to replace one, several, or all of a patient’s natural teeth. They provide aesthetics, function, and lasting oral health, solving many challenges that often arise with missing teeth.

A dental implant itself is made of titanium and is threaded like a screw. It’s implanted into the jawbone, providing an incredibly strong foundation. An abutment is then attached to the implant, which can support a dental crown, dental bridge, or implant-supported dentures.

Placing dental implants requires surgery. It is followed by a healing period of at least three months, during which time the titanium implant bonds with the jawbone for a permanent hold. After that, the abutment and replacement tooth (or teeth) are attached to complete the patient’s new smile.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants are typically the preferred solution for tooth replacement, given that they offer a wide range of benefits. 

You can expect the following after restoring your smile with dental implants:

Natural Appearance and Function

Dental implants look and function just like natural teeth. Their solid foundation prevents accidental slipping, which is common with dentures. They’re also practically impossible to point out, as the replacement teeth will be customized to provide a smile that suits you perfectly.

Jawbone Health Maintenance

Natural tooth roots stimulate the jawbone and provide resistance that keeps it strong. Without those roots, your jawbone starts deteriorating over the years, causing shrinkage that affects your facial structure. Dental implants, however, apply similar stimulation and pressure, preventing jawbone deterioration.

Enhanced Oral Function

While dentures rest on your gums, dental implants have a strong foundation integrated into your jawbone. That, in turn, allows you to bite, chew, and speak more naturally, letting you enjoy life without worrying about your replacement teeth moving around or potentially falling out.

Stability and Comfort

Dentures apply pressure to your gums and can slip and rub against them. That can lead to serious discomfort, which only gets worse as dentures warp over time. Dental implants don’t budge, so you won’t have to worry about pain or separate solutions, such as adhesives, to deal with it.

Long-Term Solution

Once placed, dental implants are expected to last the remainder of the patient’s lifetime. The crowns or implant-supported dentures they support will also be incredibly durable, providing a lasting solution given proper care. You won’t face the more frequent replacement schedule you might expect with dentures.

How implants compare with other tooth replacement options.

Dental implants are not the only option for replacing a tooth or multiple teeth. Traditionally, dental bridges were the primary course of action for replacing missing teeth. The treatment involved crowning the two teeth on either side to support a bridge over the gap. While that would improve function and prevent teeth from shifting, it also involved removing enamel from the supporting teeth to prepare them.

Full and partial dentures provide options for replacing multiple teeth or a full smile, so if you’re searching for “dentures near me,” then the choice could come down to either dentures or dental implants.

While dentures can restore function and appearance, they have noticeable downsides compared to implants. They don’t provide a solid foundation, so slippage and discomfort can occur. They also fail to prevent jawbone deterioration, which can progress significantly for decades, altering your facial appearance.

Affordable dental implants are becoming much more common, especially with adoption by insurance providers. Dentures, in that regard, still come out on top, requiring a much lower initial investment, but they will need replacement after five years or so. On the other hand, dental implants require surgery, which may not be a viable option for patients with certain conditions.

Ultimately, in cases where dental implants are viable, they are typically the best option. They protect your long-term oral health, provide natural eating and speaking, and are easier to live with and maintain.

Find “Dental Implants Near Me”

If you are considering dental implants or other options for complete mouth restoration, turn to Bold Dental as your source for expert restorative dental care in Tulsa, Oklahoma. We can evaluate your smile and find the right tooth replacement to deliver aesthetics, function, and lasting oral health. Discover more about how our team provides affordable dentures and implants today.