Why Dental Implants are a Healthier and More Practical Alternative to False Teeth
Gaps due to missing teeth are unsightly, but dentures can be inconvenient. Most patients find dental implants are by far the best way to restore their smile. Periodontitis, or gum disease, is the leading cause of lost teeth. A buildup of plaque, tartar and bacteria causes inflammation below the gum line, which, if untreated, can lead to bone loss, allowing teeth to loosen and eventually fall out.
Single dental implant before:
Single dental implant after:
Despite fluoridation, mouthwashes and toothpastes, nearly half of those aged 30 or older show some gum disease. That figure is closer to 75 per cent in people aged 65 and over. Other common causes of tooth loss include:
- Decay: Bacteria trapped by plaque erode tooth enamel, causing cavities. If untreated, a deep-seated infection can occur and might only be treatable by extraction.
- Trauma: Often, a household, sporting, or motor vehicle accident involving the jaw will dislodge one or more teeth.
- Chronic Illness: Poor oral health is often a consequence of illnesses like diabetes, hypertension and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Lifestyle: Nutritional deficiencies like lack of dietary calcium, phosphorus, and vitamins A, C and D are detrimental to oral health, while smoking can triple the risk of gum disease.
Prevention is preferable to cure, especially if the latter requires an extraction. For most of the era of modern dentistry, tooth replacements were limited to bridgework and dentures, first porcelain and, later, acrylic. Now, dental implants offer a third option, one with unparalleled benefits.
The Primary Benefits of Dental Implants
Let’s start with the drawbacks of the alternative options. Dentures take several forms. Where one or more teeth in the same area are missing, a bridge is used to secure the replacement teeth to those on either side, which may require preliminary work to strengthen the anchor teeth. When dealing with separate gaps, a partial denture is a common solution. However, sometimes, it’s more expedient to fit full-mouth dentures.
Whatever the choice, these replacements tend to pose problems. A partial denture plate can erode other teeth in contact with it, while a full plate creates pressure on the jaw that can cause bone loss. Food tends to accumulate beneath all false teeth, causing discomfort and requiring closer attention to dental hygiene.
By contrast, although dental implants are a more expensive option, they are undoubtedly a far better investment. Here’s why:
- Strength and stability: Dentures can tend to move around in the mouth, so they can never fully duplicate the performance of healthy natural teeth. By contrast, each implant is firmly seated in the jaw and performs exactly like a natural tooth.
- Comfort: Patients become unaware of these replacement teeth once the initial discomfort has passed.
- Bone retention: Because both the crown and root are replaced, unlike with bridgework and dentures, no bone resorption
- Easy to clean: Your implants can be cleaned like natural teeth.
- Eat freely: Forget the concerns of denture wearers. You can bite or chew whatever you like with implants.
Arrange a Consultation About Dental Implants
Dr Ivan Marx is a pioneer of aesthetic dentistry and a leading practitioner in the field of dental implantation, offering services from three practices in Gauteng. If you have embarrassing gaps and want to regain your confident smile, why not get in touch today?