What Are the Advantages of Dental Implants?

When you have tooth loss, there are options to consider for replacing the tooth: a bridge, a partial denture or dental implants.

Bridges

A bridge is fixed and cemented into your mouth between your teeth.

Partial Implants

A partial denture fits between your teeth, clasps onto them and is removable. You can take it out and clean it.

Dental implants

Dental implants are, as the name implies, permanent artificial teeth implanted into your jawbone. Unlike bridges and partials, they do not need support from other teeth. When you have dental implants and you chew on food, the force of chewing transfers to the jawbone, just as it does with natural teeth.

With implants, gums don’t tend to shrink and as they do with partial dentures, which may require refitting. Also, the clasps that attach partials or bridges to other teeth can sometimes damage the teeth, but implants have no clasps and don’t cause this type of damage.

A US Health News article describes situations that are not ideal for dental implants. When someone has extensive jawbone loss around a failed tooth root, a bone graft may be necessary before implanting a crown. Also, if bone loss occurs as a result of gum disease, bone grafting may be an option that makes dental implants viable.

Many people prefer dental implants because they provide you with a natural looking smile and no visible metal clasps.

At Hutto Hippo Family Dental, we’re glad to discuss your options for tooth replacement and help you decide what will work best for you.