If you have been wrestling with the idea of getting dental implants to take care of replacing teeth that either need to be extracted or have already been lost, you likely have many questions. Deciding to take the plunge to choose implants over other tooth replacement options is a much easier choice these days than it used to be, but many people are still concerned about whether it is the best choice for them.
Dental Implants For Tooth Replacement
In order to determine if dental implants are for you, it’s important to know as much as possible about the procedure and how it compares to other options you may have for replace your missing teeth. On the positive side, you’ll be happy to know that replacement teeth that are secured in your mouth by attaching to implants look and function just like real teeth. That is probably the primary reason that so many people opt for this advanced dental procedure.
During a dental implant procedure, a small titanium rod is surgically implanted into the jawbone. As it heals, the bone around the rod secures it permanently and functions in much the same way as a natural tooth’s root. A replacement tooth is then attached to the exposed end of the rod, looking and functioning in much the same way as a person’s original tooth.
Not only is look and function enhanced when opting for this type of dental procedure, but since the titanium rod is attached to the jawbone, the bone itself remains stronger since it still has a function to perform. Bone that is left without function (such as is the case if a tooth is lost or extracted but the replacement tooth is not attached to the bone) can atrophy over time, causing subsequent bone loss that can lead to a host of problems.
While look, feel and function are the primary reasons that so many people today choose to replace missing teeth with dental implants, there are a few drawbacks to the procedure that stop people from taking the plunge or at least give them reason to think through the option thoroughly. For one, the procedure is more invasive than other types of tooth replacement options since the implant itself has to be surgically implanted into the existing bone structure. The procedure and healing period are relatively easy for most people to tolerate, but you do have to be willing to undergo the treatment.
Another drawback to some is the price. It’s important to note however that although dental implants are a pricier option than other types of tooth replacement, they do offer the most permanent and long-lasting solution for replacing missing teeth, so over time they may save you money since you don’t have to repeat a procedure again.
Choosing to replace a missing tooth or teeth with dental implants is a decision that should not be made lightly. But with advances in dentistry over the years, it is an increasingly popular choice that leaves many people with a reason to smile.
For more information about dental implants, contact Park Dental Care in Queens at 718-274-1515.
