Whether you’re missing one or several teeth, it’s a problem that creates more than just a smile flaw. It leaves you unable to eat food as you normally would, can lead to bone loss, and your other teeth can begin to shift. With a dental implant in Hiram, though, you can prevent such problems. Read on to learn the many benefits of undergoing the implant process.
Dental Implants Explained
The roots play a key role in maintaining the position of your teeth. However, a condition like advanced gum disease can lead to them dissolving and leaving your teeth vulnerable to falling out.
Dental implants provide a sound and sturdy way to replace the missing teeth roots. They consist of a titanium post that is attached to the jawbone and will fuse with the same over time. The result is a firm and stable foundation that is only rivaled by your natural structure of your teeth.
Dental Implants Compared to Bridges
The three-unit-bridge is a commonly used method for restoring a smile. This method utilizes the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth as abutments (anchors) that a replacement prosthetic is attached to using dental cement.
The limitation with a bridge in comparison to a dental implant is that the former relies on the surrounding teeth for support. That means that any shifting in the abutments could cause instability with the bridge.
A dental implant is self-sufficient, though, because it is attached to the underlying bone.
Dental Implants Compared to Removable Dentures
An option for replacing a large number of teeth is to have a set of removable dentures crafted. The prosthetics are custom-designed by a dentist and then fabricated at an in-network laboratory.
While a set of dentures can restore most of the functions of your natural teeth, it still poses the following challenges:
- Dentures rely on dental adhesive and suction to hold them in place. Because of this limited amount of security, they are susceptible to slipping or falling out.
- Another issue some patients have with a set of prosthetic teeth is that by partially covering the palate, they can limit the ability to fully taste different foods.
- It’s difficult to recreate your original smile with dentures because they only rest above the gums.
For each area of concern above, dental implants offer a solution, and the process bolsters an overall success rate of 96%. To find out more about the dental implant procedure, you can reach out to your dentist in Hiram to schedule a consultation.
About the Author
Dr. Bobby Shirley earned his dental degree from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. He has since gone on to provide expert care to his patients for over a decade. Dr. Shirley replaces missing teeth with dental implants at Distinctive Dentistry, and he can be reached for more information through his website.