Many people have fond memories of visits and gifts from the Tooth Fairy. Losing permanent teeth as an adult, however, is an entirely different story. This can occur for several reasons, including gum disease, injury or tooth decay. Whatever the reason may be, it is a stressful experience that can lead to reduced self-confidence and greater oral health concerns. Fortunately, the many wonders of dental technology have provided numerous options for tooth replacement. Traditional options like full and partial dentures may leap to mind, but they have many disadvantages. For instance, they are not fixed in place and require a lot of maintenance. Dental implants are, for many, a much more popular option. They are a sturdier, longer-lasting solution and only require as much maintenance as one’s natural teeth.
Dental implants have become wildly popular over the last decade and show no signs of slowing down in popularity. This is due to both advances in dental technology and the increasing number of dentists becoming trained to apply them. This article will touch upon some of the key reasons dental implants are becoming such a preferred option, but first…
What Exactly is a Dental Implant?
A dental implant is a metal fixture that is connected to a patient’s jawbone. Its purpose is to replace the root of the missing tooth (the base that sits beneath the gumline and connects to the jaw). Once the dental implant fixture is attached, it provides a home for a full dental crown (i.e., a replacement tooth). This crown is designed to match the missing natural tooth and is made of materials that are similarly strong to tooth material. Once affixed, patients can enjoy a tooth replacement effectively as strong and functional as the one they lost.
Benefits of Dental Implants:
- They are long-lasting. Full or partial dentures are fully removable options to replace one or more missing teeth. However, they are not firmly affixed within in the mouth. They must be removed regularly for cleaning and their unmounted nature can cause them to slip around in the mouth. This can affect speech and eating, and they can become unattached at inconvenient or embarrassing times. Dental implants, on the other hand, act just as natural teeth do. The replacement tooth is attached to the jaw in the same way as a natural tooth. This means it will be stable and remain fixed firmly in place.
- They can replace any number of teeth. Whether a patient is missing one tooth, a few, or an entire row, implants are a great option. This means that they can replace full dentures for older patients or those who have lost entire sets due to injury or decay. The best part is that full row replacements do not require root fixtures for each missing tooth. When replacing an entire row, patients generally need only 4 implant fixtures instead of 16.
Do you have one or more missing teeth you would like to replace? Dental implants might be the perfect option for you! If you have more questions about dental implants in Broomfield, CO or any other form of restorative dentistry, call Petersen Family Dentistry today at (720) 308–9798 or contact us online.
