If you have one or multiple missing teeth, you are probably looking for ways to replace those teeth. Not only is this important to help restore your smile, but it can help you regain your chewing ability in that part of your mouth and help to avoid bone loss as a result of the missing tooth. Many people turn to a dental bridge to replace a missing tooth, but you also have the option of an implant. Here are some reasons to choose an implant instead of a bridge.
Dental Implants Are Considered Permanent
One thing you might not realise is that a dental implant is actually considered a permanent or semi-permanent tooth restoration. The crown and abutment that is placed on top of the metal post might need to be replaced in about the same amount of time as a bridge would, but the implant should last nearly forever. The metal post is implanted into the jawbone of the missing tooth, where the bone actually heals around the post, holding it firmly in place. In many cases, this never needs to be re-done.
You Can Retain Your Jawbone
When you have a missing tooth, you will generally lose some of the jawbone underneath that missing tooth. The tooth is no longer attached to the bone, which can ultimately lead the bone to deteriorate over time. This can happen even with a dental bridge since the bridge is not attached to the bone in any way. However, with a dental implant, you are using the metal post as an artificial tooth root, which goes right into the bone, so it should help keep that bone from deteriorating. If you think you want an implant, try to get it shortly after losing the tooth so you don't need a bone graft.
Your Natural Teeth Aren't Altered
This is another big reason to go with a dental implant. In the case of a dental bridge, it is held in place with crowns on the teeth near the missing teeth. This is what helps to hold the replacement tooth in place, thus creating the bridge. Since crowns are caps that go over your natural teeth, those teeth need to be filed down in order to accommodate the crown's size and thickness. This alteration of the teeth can't be reversed, so if you decide to get implants in the future, you will still need to wear crowns over those teeth.
Share16 August 2016
As you age, it can become harder to take care of your teeth. Motor challenges can make it hard to floss, while memory issues may make it easy to overlook brushing. Whether you are a senior looking for solutions to some of the common dental problems or a senior with specific questions about cavities or oral surgery, you have come to the right place. In this blog, I am going to touch on a range of topics related to seniors and oral health. This is the type of resource I wish my mum would have had access to in her senior years, and I hope you enjoy having access to it during yours. I appreciate you reading my posts.
