Dental Implants: The Gold Standard of Tooth Restorations
Losing one or more teeth can negatively impact your quality of life. Missing teeth affect your smile, your ability to chew and speak, and your oral health. Fortunately, modern dentistry offers several solutions for replacing missing teeth, including dental bridges, partial dentures, and dental implants.
Of all tooth replacement options, dental implants provide the most natural, functional, and long-lasting results. If you’re considering solutions for replacing missing teeth, Dr. David Painter at Auburn Family Dentistry in Auburn, IN, recommends dental implants for their many advantages over traditional restorations.
Dental Implants Preserve Your Facial Structure
When you lose teeth, the surrounding bone begins to deteriorate over time. This bone loss causes changes in your facial structure, making you look older than your years. Dental implants are the only tooth replacement solution that stimulates and preserves the jawbone. The titanium implant post fuses with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration. This maintains your natural facial structure for a more youthful appearance.
Other solutions, like removable partial dentures, don’t stop bone loss. The constant pressure of the denture on your gum tissue accelerates deterioration. Dental bridges require shaving down adjacent healthy teeth to support the bridge. This permanent alteration also hastens bone loss. Only dental implants integrate with the jawbone like natural tooth roots.
Dental Implants Function Like Natural Teeth
Dental implants allow you to eat, speak, and smile naturally. The titanium implant post securely anchors the dental crown in your mouth. This creates a strong, stable foundation that allows implant crowns to function like natural teeth. Other tooth replacement options cannot replicate this level of natural function.
Partial dentures are removable and may slip around in your mouth when chewing or speaking. The metal clasps of partial dentures are also visible, which many patients dislike. Bridges depend on the adjacent teeth for support, requiring alteration of healthy tooth structure. Bridges and dentures also limit the types of food you can comfortably eat. With the strength of dental implants, you can eat and function just like you did with your natural teeth.
Get Long-Lasting Results with Dental Implants
When properly cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime. Integrated implants have no mobility and protect your bone like natural tooth roots. With good oral hygiene and regular dental cleanings, you can expect implants to last 30 years or longer.
Other tooth replacement options often need to be repaired or replaced over time:
- Removable partial dentures may need to be relined or remade every five to seven years due to deterioration of the plastic and metal parts.
- Porcelain fused-to-metal dental bridges generally last seven to 10 years before needing replacement.
Considering their longevity, dental implants are cost-effective compared to other options that must be continually repaired or replaced.
Protect Your Oral Health with Dental Implants
Replacing missing teeth is crucial for protecting your overall oral health. When teeth are missing, the surrounding gum tissue is exposed. This allows bacteria to enter the empty socket, leading to infection, pain, and bone loss. Missing teeth also put more strain on your remaining natural teeth that can shift out of place or fracture.
Dental implants are the ideal solution because they fill an empty tooth socket. The implant crown looks, feels, and functions like a natural tooth root. This prevents bone loss and bacterial infection associated with missing teeth. Implants also take the strain off the surrounding teeth, preventing further deterioration of your smile. Other tooth replacement options only replace the crown, not the root, exposing your jawbone and putting your oral health at risk.
Choose Dental Implants for an Enhanced Quality of Life
If you’re dealing with missing teeth, dental implants offer clear advantages over other restorative solutions like bridges and dentures. Only implants preserve your jawbone and allow the natural function of tooth crowns. Implants also provide long-lasting, cost-effective results that can enhance your quality of life for years.
To determine if dental implants are right for your needs, schedule a consultation with Dr. David Painter at Auburn Family Dentistry. Call (260) 357-2380 to get started on your journey toward a fully functional smile with dental implants in Auburn, IN.