If you are having dental issues that require tooth removal, then you may be looking at several options for how to handle the situation. One of the options will likely be dental implants. You might initially overlook implants as an option, but there are a few reasons you should consider them, including that they can be more beneficial for you in the long run. Here are a few of those reasons and what to know about each one.
Bone Loss
One of the main reasons that many dentists suggest dental implants is to help reduce bone loss. If you have had tooth decay, you likely have already experienced bone loss in your jaw and gum line. Some options for tooth loss due to decay and removal may worsen the bone loss and may not be able to help reduce bone loss in surrounding teeth. When you use dental implants, you can help reduce and prevent further bone loss. This will help decrease the possibility that you will need major dental surgery and bone grafting in the future.
Increased Durability
When you think about using dental implants, you may not think about the durability. In most cases, you will be facing bridges as an alternative to the implants. Bridges are durable, but when compared to implants, the implants beat them out. Implants last longer than bridges, are stronger than bridges and allow patients to eat foods that are harder and would normally cause bridges to crack. Overall, implants will last longer than traditional dental bridges.
Natural Look
One of the issues that many patients have with any dental option is that they want the tooth replacement to look natural. Fortunately, dental implants have a more natural look. In fact, implants can look like your natural teeth and can be shaded to match your existing teeth. This can help improve the overall look of the smile and give a patient more confidence in their appearance. This natural look can also work with partials and dentures without losing a seamless look, keeping the smile looking natural, healthy and undamaged.
If you think that dental implants sound like a good idea for your oral health, contact your dentist. He or she can schedule a consultation and discuss your dental implant options. Your dentist can also help you with treatment plans for your oral health, pricing and aftercare options to help reduce swelling and pain related to the implants.