Patients dealing with tooth loss may not give as much thought in determining the long-term effects of their restoration of choice. While many dentists may recommend fixed dental bridges or removable prosthetics, such as full and partial dentures, these treatment options may prove less comfortable or more costly to maintain throughout the course of your life.
In order to make an informed decision about their treatment, so it aligns with their long-term health and wellness goals, patients should consider the cost advantages and health benefits involved in utilizing dental implants to replace missing teeth:
Minimal Maintenance Time and Investment – Fixed dental bridges and dentures are not necessarily made to last a lifetime, especially if you require either of these prosthetics at a younger age. Dentures need to be adjusted periodically over time, as they may loosen with gum tissue shrinking and therefore become uncomfortable. As they are typically made of acrylic, dentures can be easily adjusted but can also be more easily worn down, especially if patients have a habit of grinding their teeth. Fixed dental bridges, while more secure because they are cemented in place, may also need to be replaced entirely over the years. Though they are often made of durable and aesthetic porcelain or porcelain over metal, applying a fixed bridge requires the alteration of healthy teeth, which can cause complications that require a time and cost investment later in life.
Implants, on the other hand, are independent; soft tissue health and the structural integrity of surrounding teeth are not affected. As implants are embedded into and merge with bone, they can also be extraordinarily long lasting. Implant posts, or the base of your replacement teeth, will likely not need to be to removed and replaced in your lifetime, providing cost savings in the long run. With all-porcelain replacement teeth attached to implants, your prosthetics will also be durable and better stand up to wear and tear.
No More Loose Dentures or Removable Prosthetics – Restorations that are not firmly fixed in place can slip, rub, and generally irritate tissue in your mouth. Loose dentures also make eating a challenge, as biting into crunchy or dense foods isn’t easy with unpredictable dental appliances. Many patients with these issues often forgo wearing their dentures entirely, which further limits dental function.
Dentures of varying size can be secured by implants, however, to help provide a permanently attached base that does not loosen over time. With implant-supported prosthetics, denture wearers do not experience the affected speech and diminished biting and chewing capability that loose, removable appliances can create. Implant-supported denture patients do not have to worry about their teeth throughout the day.
At Farnham Dentistry, we help patients weigh all of their options so they can make informed decisions about their treatment plans. For more information about dental implants in Jacksonville, please contact our office.
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