What Are the Advantages of Implants Over Tooth Replacement Options?

Replacing a missing tooth restores the appearance of your smile and improves dental function. There are various teeth replacement options provided by a dentist near you. They include dental implants, dentures, and dental bridges. Dental implants are considered the most natural-looking and long-lasting option. Read on to compare implants with other tooth replacement options.

What Are Dental Implants?

A tooth implant is an artificial replacement for your tooth roots that supports a crown or dentures. They restore eating and speaking function, prevent jawbone loss, and improve your smile. Implants also stabilize surrounding teeth and jaw tissue preventing misalignment. The procedure for placing implants involves surgery to put a metal post in the jawbone. It takes several months for the bone and gum tissues to grow around the bar and fuse with it. Fortunately, you do not have to remain toothless during this period. Your dentist in SE Calgary, AB, will attach temporary artificial teeth to the implants.

How the Body Reacts to a Dental Implant

The procedure for getting dental implants IN SE Calgary has a high success rate. Most patients who get implants enjoy a lifetime of improved dental function. However, like any other treatment, there are complications associated with implants. Once the implant is placed in your jawbone, you should expect pain and discomfort for the first few days. If the pain stops and then comes back more severely or persists, you may have an infection. You should also expect minor swelling after the implant procedure. However, if the swelling does not go down after a few days, it signifies an infection. Instead of accepting and fusing with the titanium implant, your body can reject it. This may occur when you have allergic reactions to the metal alloy. You will notice signs such as swelling around the gums, loss of taste, and a tingling sensation. Contact the dentist near you immediately if you notice these symptoms.

How Can You Prevent Your Body From Rejecting an Implant?

When your body rejects an implant, it means the treatment is unsuccessful. Fortunately, you can prevent implant rejection by:

• Caring for your implants as instructed
• Visiting your dentist for follow-ups and every six months for checkups
• Avoiding tobacco products
• Taking more calcium for healthier bones
• Avoiding dental trauma or injuries
• Not grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw

Benefits of Dental Implants Over Bridges

A tooth bridge consists of a false tooth or teeth attached to one or more artificial crowns. It is supported and held in position by teeth adjacent to the tooth or teeth being replaced. Dental implants have several advantages over traditional bridges. Some are discussed below.

1. When placing a bridge, the dentist must alter the structure of the adjacent teeth. When the dentist removes the enamel, it increases the risk of decay in these teeth. Implants do not affect adjacent teeth during placement or afterwards.
2. Dental implants look more natural since they mimic the tooth’s natural structure. They consist of artificial tooth roots and a crown that resembles surrounding teeth.
3. Bridges have a lifespan of five to ten years. However, implants can last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance.
4. Although the initial cost of getting implants is higher than bridges, they are more cost-effective. It is because bridges need to be replaced or repaired after a shorter while.

Advantages of Dental Implants Over Traditional Dentures

Dentures are artificial teeth replacements attached to a gum-colored base. They replace a few or all the teeth in your mouth. There are two types of dentures, traditional and implant-supported. Traditional dentures are held in place using suction or dental adhesives. But, implant-supported dentures are stabilized by small metal posts placed in the jawbone.

1. Implant-supported dentures provide better stability and function than conventional dentures. It is because they do not slip when talking or eating.
2. Conventional dentures must be removed for cleaning and allowing the gum to rest to prevent sores. This does not happen when using implant-supported dentures.
3. Traditional dentures cannot prevent bone loss and subsequent facial sagging. However, implant-supported ones stimulate the jawbone to prevent bone loss and facial collapse.
4. Conventional dentures have an artificial palate that covers the roof of your mouth. Consequently, it interferes with your sense of taste. Implants-supported dentures are fabricated without a palate.

Contact us at Willow Park Dental to schedule a dental implant procedure.