Why have dental implants? Sound expensive? It’s not as expensive as it might sound. In fact, in the long run, dental implants may be the most cost effective solution for missing teeth. For most people who lose teeth, implants are rapidly becoming the treatment of choice. More often than not, dental implants are the preferred option—because they tend to offer a permanent solution-- implants carry a success rate greater than 95%.
Some of the older, more traditional options to replace missing teeth include bridges and dentures. Let’s take a look at bridges and dentures, and still a third option that uses dental implants in combination with some form of dentures and bridges. Finally, we will explore the dental implant procedure itself to show how it is rapidly replacing bridges and dentures as the most comfortable and long-term solution for maintaining a healthy mouth.
Implants vs. Bridges
If you only lose one tooth and choose a bridge as a solution, your dentist will grind down the two healthy adjacent teeth to create a support structure that will anchor a replacement tooth. Over time, the two healthy adjacent teeth can become more vulnerable to decay and nerve damage because they have been ground down. Eventually, a root canal may be needed or the bridge might fail and need to be replaced altogether.
Why Have Dental Implants?
by Jim Janakievski D.D.S., M.S.D.