You might think that missing teeth are largely a cosmetic concern, but in truth, your oral health is jeopardized when you’re missing one or more teeth. In fact, you can increase your risk of developing tooth decay and losing jawbone mass if you have missing teeth.
You have options to replace missing teeth, but dental implants often provide the best results. Here at AnnMarie Olson, DDS, PA, in Austin, Texas, our providers think dental implants are better than dentures for many reasons, and in this post, we explain why.
Dental implants consist of three parts: the post, the abutment, and the crown. The post acts like a tooth root, and it’s anchored into your jawbone. The abutment then goes on top of the post, and the crown, or false tooth, is attached to the abutment.
Dental implants are considered the gold standard for tooth replacement for many reasons, and here are five of them:
An implant is the only option that replaces your missing tooth root. The titanium post that’s anchored into your jawbone functions just like your natural tooth root, and each time you bite down, the post stimulates your jaw, keeping blood flowing and the bone healthy.
Implants are strong, secure, and permanent. You don’t have to worry about getting your implant replaced in a few years.
Your implant will look and feel just like a natural tooth. You won’t have to get used to wearing a device as you would need to with traditional dentures. Furthermore, you can eat and speak naturally with an implant.
You treat your implant just like any other tooth. You just floss it and brush it like your other teeth. You don’t have to undergo any special maintenance program to keep it in good shape. As long as you practice good oral hygiene, including coming in for regular cleanings, you can enjoy excellent oral health with a dental implant.
When you feel better about how you look, you enjoy more confidence. You may be more comfortable in social situations or work.
Dentures correct a cosmetic issue, but they don’t replace the missing tooth root. Traditional dentures are prosthetic teeth that attach to a gum-colored acrylic base, and they’re kept in place with adhesive, suction, or a bridge.
So while dentures can replace the visible portion of the tooth, they don’t replace the missing root. This means the space in your jaw where the tooth used to be won’t get the stimulation it needs when you chew. Without the stimulation, the bone where the tooth was could shrink.
Furthermore, dentures don’t last as long as implants. Implants can last for life, but dentures usually last about 10-15 years before they need to be replaced. Also, while implants look and feel natural, with dentures, you could experience issues speaking and chewing until you get used to them.
If you have missing teeth and want to see if implants could help you, come see us. We’ll give you a thorough evaluation and discuss your next steps. To learn more, call 512-212-5231 to book an appointment with AnnMarie Olson, DDS, PA, today.
