Nine reasons you should seriously consider dental implants to replace your missing teeth

Do you have unsightly gaps in your smile caused by missing teeth? Perhaps you’re considering a dental bridge but hate the idea of damaging the healthy teeth on either side of the gap? Are you worried about bone loss or you wear dentures and don’t like how they fit?

There is a solution. Dental implants are the ‘Gold Standard’ when it comes to replacing your missing teeth. Not sure they’re for you? Here are our nine reasons we think you should really consider dental implants as your treatment of choice to fill the gaps.

 1. Dental implants look like your natural teeth

The cosmetic finish of any restoration is an important consideration. Yes, crowns, bridges and dentures all look incredibly natural but dental implants really are as close as we dentists can get to a natural tooth. When you smile, no-one will be able to tell that you have dental implants.

2. Dental implants are as strong as your natural teeth

Because dental implants are embedded in your jaw bone, the bone ossifies around them, keeping them in place. For this reason, you’ll find that your dental implants have a strength similar to your natural teeth. You should be able to eat steak, apples and many other foods that you haven’t dared to eat recently, especially if you currently wear dentures.

3. Dental implants function like your natural teeth

Another benefit of dental implants is that they will restore the function of your missing teeth. You should be able to bite, chew and talk with comfort, no longer having to worry about a gap in your bite or dentures that might move.

4. Dental implants help protect against bone loss

One of the unfortunate consequences of tooth loss is also bone loss. The alveolar bone that surrounds and supports our teeth is dependent on stimulation from the teeth themselves to maintain its form and density. When you have missing teeth, this stimulation is no longer present, which means the bones begins to stop remodelling and rebuilding. Data would suggest there’s a 25% decrease in bone width during the first year after tooth loss and then a four millimetre decrease in height over the next few years. The impact of this is that your jaw bone can lose strength, definition and function.

Dental implants stimulate the alveolar bone to grow in much the same way as your natural teeth do. This can protect the underlying structure and health of your face.

5. Dental implants are long-lasting

When cared for properly, dental implants in Grantham have the potential to last many years, possibly even a life-time. You will still need to brush your teeth twice a day, floss and attend regular dentist and hygienist appointments – looking after your dental implants is much the same way as you would your natural teeth.

6. Dental implants are safe and well tolerated

Dental implants have an excellent safety record, although they must always be fitted by a highly trained, qualified and experienced dental professional. Success rates of dental implants vary, depending on where in the jaw they are placed but, in general, they have a success rate of up to 98%.

7. Dental implants don’t damage your surrounding teeth

One of the downsides of a dental bridge is that we have to damage the healthy teeth on either side of the gap left by your missing teeth to create an anchor for the restoration. Over time, these teeth may also weaken until it becomes impossible to widen the gap even further and partial dentures become the next best alternative. As dental implants are situated on the site of your missing teeth, they do not impact on your surrounding healthy teeth at all.

8. Dental implants give you confidence

Many of the patients to our Lincolnshire dental practice tell us that they feel self-conscious about their missing teeth or that wearing dentures has impacted on their confidence. Because dental implants are secure and look natural, you can smile, eat, talk and laugh with confidence.

9. Dental implants are more affordable than you think

Although there’s no denying that dental implants are more expensive than other dental restorations, such as crowns and bridges, their long-term value is unmatched. With other restorations, the likelihood is that they will need to be replaced several times within your lifetime or you may need to pay for several different treatments to fill the gap left by your missing teeth, perhaps progressing from a dental crown to a dental bridge to partial dentures.

As dental implants have the potential to last for the rest of your life, they often work out more affordable in the long-run. We offer interest-free credit or recommend loans to help you spread the cost.

Dental Implants in Grantham

Why not book an appointment to discuss whether dental implants would be the best option for you to replace your missing teeth? Simply call us on 01476 594480 or book online and we’ll make an appointment for you.