When you had all your natural teeth, you didn’t know much about prosthetic replacements, but now that you need them, you’re trying to become more familiar with your options. Although dental implants are the most complex solution for missing teeth, they are also the most comprehensive and beneficial. In other words, you should learn as much as possible about them! Here are five facts you might not already know about this option to help you determine if they could be right for you.
Fact #1: Dental Implants Can Be Used for Any Number of Missing Teeth.
Your number of missing teeth and your required number of dental implants are not always the same. In other words, you may not need a dental implant for each lost tooth. In fact, you may be able to replace all your teeth with as few as four to six implants!
Regardless of how many teeth you’ve lost and where they are located in your mouth, dental implant treatment can be customized to your situation and make your smile whole again.
Fact #2: Dental Implants Can’t Get Cavities.
Dental implants are made of titanium with a porcelain or acrylic restoration. These materials are impervious to oral bacteria, which means you don’t have to worry about getting painful cavities in these prosthetics.
However, even if none of your teeth are natural anymore, your gum and jawbone tissue could still become infected by the bacteria in plaque, which is why it’s important to keep up a healthy oral hygiene routine with dental implants.
Fact #3: Dental Implants Have a 95 Percent Success Rate.
Although there are a few exceptions, dental implants are widely successful! If your dentist tells you that you are a good candidate for dental implants, you can feel confident that this treatment will work as long as you follow their instructions.
Fact #4: Dental Implants Can Restore Up to 70 Percent of Your Biting Force.
Did you know that traditional dentures only give you about 25 to 30 percent of your original biting power back? As a result, you may find it hard to eat nutritious foods in your diet. In contrast, dental implants empower your bite, restoring 70 percent of its original force and making enjoying a varied diet possible.
Fact #5: Dental Implants Can Be Less Expensive Than Traditional Replacements.
When you compare the upfront cost of dental implants to that of normal dentures or bridges, dental implants usually come out as the more expensive option. However, if you include the price of replacing the bridge or denture every 10 years, these additional costs quickly add up. You may find that dental implants will cost you less in the long run.
The more you learn about dental implants, the more you may be surprised at just how amazing they are! If you are seriously considering dental implants, talk to your dentist today about your options and create a personalized treatment plan for your smile.
About the Practice
Columbia Healthy Smiles is led by a husband-and-wife team: Dr. Philip Batson and Dr. Liz Abe. They have both studied with SPEAR Education in their continuing education coursework and are proud to partner with local experts to provide top-tier care for their patients. If you would like to discuss dental implants with them, you can schedule an appointment by calling the Columbia office at 573-875-7071 or visiting our Contact Us page here.