Many people suffer from tooth loss. This affects their ability to eat, smile and speak clearly. According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, 69% of adults aged 35-44 lose at least one permanent tooth due to accidents, gum disease, root damage, and/or decay. And one in four adults aged 74 and older lose all their teeth. If you want to replace your teeth, you can use implants. This is a relatively modern option for restoring teeth. Implants look, feel and function like real teeth. But are they right for you?
What are dental implants?
Just a few decades ago, teeth could only be replaced with fixed bridges or removable dentures. Both options had significant drawbacks. Fixed bridges affect adjacent healthy teeth and can destroy them. This leads to the need to install crowns, new bridges and depulp teeth. Removable dentures slip in the mouth, which causes annoying chomping sounds and limits the intake of certain foods. Dentures also contribute to bone loss in the area where the tooth or teeth are missing. For these reasons, bridges and dentures need to be replaced every 7-15 years. Studies show that within 5-7 years, the intensity of tooth decay, which are located next to bridges or prostheses, increases by 30%.
Dental implants have become another substitute that avoids the drawbacks of bridges and dentures. The "roots" of implants are surgically placed in the jawbone, so these teeth do not slip, do not cause unpleasant sounds and do not collapse. Unlike being placed at the gum line (dentures) or using adjacent teeth as abutments (bridges), implants are made from a titanium alloy that fuses with the jawbone through a process of "osseointegration". Since the implants are connected to the bone, this solves the problem of bone loss.
How do implants work?
Implants consist of three parts: a titanium implant that connects to the bone; a head that fits over the part of the tooth that comes out of the gum line; and a crown, which is created and molded by a prosthodontist to look and feel natural. The connection of the implant to the jaw ensures the stability of the bone and the surrounding area, for which the fallen teeth were previously responsible. Implants are a support system that, unlike analogues, does not slip and does not lead to the destruction of neighboring teeth.
Benefits of implants
Implants function better than bridges or dentures and have the following advantages:
- Naturalness . Implants look, function and feel like real teeth.
- Normal speech . There are no clicks, champs and other unpleasant sounds. Implants allow you to speak clearly.
- Comfort . Implants become a part of you, that is, something that you are used to using every day.
- The pleasure of eating . Implants allow you to eat your usual food and not worry about slipping.
- Self esteem . A healthy natural smile inspires confidence and allows you to be yourself.
- Oral health . Implants do not affect adjacent teeth, allow the use of floss and support the jawbone.
- Long service life . Since implants are very durable, if handled well, they can last a lifetime.
- Convenience . With implants, you never have to worry about removing and cleaning dentures or dealing with nasty adhesive.
When are implants recommended?
Loss of one tooth
If you have lost one tooth, an implant would be the best option. Firstly, the price of an implant is almost equal to the cost of a bridge. And at the same time, the implant is durable, and bridges need to be changed every 7-15 years. Secondly, the implant does not cause damage to adjacent teeth and makes the jaw bone more stable rather than weakening it. A bridge would only be more appropriate if the bone at the site of the lost tooth is already weak or adjacent teeth require crowns. But still, in the long term, the implant remains preferable, as it prevents further weakening of the bone, and it does not need to be changed.
Loss of several teeth
If you have lost several teeth that were located next to each other on the same row, then an implant bridge would be a great option. A conventional fixed bridge needs to span multiple gaps, so it will fit over more teeth (which can lead to tooth decay), or the free space will be so large that the bridge will endanger the health of the supporting teeth. And the bridge on implants, when properly installed, will fill the gaps, and at the same time it does not require depulpation and does not destroy teeth.
Missing all teeth (upper and/or lower)
If the patient is missing all the upper teeth, an implant-supported prosthesis is suitable. Although it is more expensive than conventional dentures, the implant option gives patients self-confidence, as it does not cause unpleasant sounds and allows them to eat their usual food. Upper dentures on implants are usually removable. They just stick. These dentures also serve as an alternative for the lower teeth. But lower prostheses are harder to wear than upper ones.
Patients should be more careful about mini-implants and implants that are installed through a one-day operation. Mini implants don't last that long and need to be replaced over time. The lower cost of implants should not mislead you. After some time they will have to be replaced and as a result you will spend more money than with permanent implants.
Most people cannot afford full jaw implants, although they are suitable for people without teeth. Your best bet is to find out what your insurance can cover and get a recommendation from your dentist about your particular case.
Less pain, more benefit
Most patients say that the procedure for placing implants is not very painful. With a 95% success rate and decades of clinical research, implants are the best way to replace lost teeth. You will feel better, be able to speak clearly and enjoy casual conversations with people and eating familiar foods. All this makes implants a better choice than bridges and dentures.
