You’ve lost a permanent adult tooth. Whether it’s gone because of tooth decay, root canal failure, gum disease, oral trauma, or another reason, you now have a gaping hole in your smile. What do you do? You could get partial dentures, but maybe you’re interested in a more permanent solution. You could opt for a bridge, but that means affecting healthy teeth around your missing tooth. As a much-improved alternative, dental implants in Redlands could be the answer you’re looking for.
Success Rate
Dental implants are highly successful. In fact, for lower jaw dental implants, the five-year success rate is about 95%, with the upper jaw at 90% success rate. Your chances of success especially increase as you follow your dentist’s instructions and practice good oral hygiene.
Versatile
You can replace any tooth of any size with a dental implant. Because the front teeth are more visible and more compact, they can present a challenge for bridges. Conversely, smaller dental implants are available and can easily fit in those tight spaces.
Also, dental implants have the versatility to service multiple tooth loss. They can firmly support a fixed bridge for two or more consecutive teeth and partial or full dentures for three or more consecutive teeth.
Cavity-Free
You may be losing a natural tooth, but getting a dental implant means not having to worry about getting a cavity on the crown. The implant, or titanium-alloy screw used to anchor the crown into your jaw, replaces the tooth’s root and cannot be impacted by decay. On the other hand, bridges are supported by surrounding teeth, which are susceptible to decay. Of course, you will still need proper oral health practices even with dental implants to ensure their longevity.
Durable
By far, dental implants are the most durable restoration option available. Although dentures stay in place with natural suction and special clasps, they are designed to come out and can become loose over time. In contrast, dental implants fuse with the jawbone and will not move.
In addition, bridges can last between 5 and 10 years, and dentures can last between 5 and 7 years. In contrast, dental implants can last from 25 to 40 years, or even a lifetime, before needing to be replaced. This means that implant patients age 40 and older could have their dental implants for the rest of their lives with proper dental maintenance and care.
Affordable
Although dental implants have the highest upfront cost, think about the long term. Considering how long bridges, dentures, and dental implants can last, you could find that dental implants provide the most cost-efficient option for you. By the time your dental implant would need to be replaced, a bridge would have had to be changed several times, and the teeth that support the bridge could potentially have needed other dental work.
Dental implants can restore your confidence in your ability to chew, speak, and smile. With so many advantages, dental implants could be the perfect solution for your tooth restoration. The best way to find out is to schedule a consultation!