Hello, and welcome back to our blog here at Pacific Northwest Periodontics. Last time, we talked about dentures and how many patients would experience better long-term success with dental implants. This time, we’re going to talk a little bit more about dental implants and the benefits you’ll experience by choosing them over dentures. Keep reading to learn more.
Dental implants
Many people who have reached the point where they need teeth replacement often go with the option they’ve heard the most about. Although dentures are a common option for people experiencing tooth loss, it certainly doesn’t mean that they’re the best option for everyone. Let’s take a look at how dental implants work to see if they may be a better option for you.
The most important thing to remember when considering dental implants is that this is a permanent solution to your tooth loss problems in most cases. Where dentures are a separate piece that can be removed and replaced, dental implants are made of titanium and are attached to your jawbone just like the roots of your natural teeth. Unlike dentures, dental implants will not move around and become loose.
Since dental implants work like your regular teeth, it’s important to make sure your jawbone and gums are healthy enough to receive implants. One of the main reasons that people lose teeth in the first place is due to resorption or bone loss. The jawbone becomes too weak to support teeth and they eventually fall out. During your initial consultation, your periodontist may require you to undergo bone grafting which will restore the lost bone and allow your dental implants to be secure and healthy.
Single-tooth replacement can be used for patients who are missing just one tooth or multiple teeth in different parts of the mouth. Single-tooth implants are supported by one implant and will have no effect on the surrounding teeth. Since the bone in your jaw is maintained by regular stimulation from chewing and biting, an implant will actually reduce the chance that you will lose surrounding teeth due to further bone loss.
Multiple tooth replacement is required when you have several teeth that need to be replaced. There are several ways to go about this. If there are three or more teeth missing in a row, your periodontist will usually use a lesser number of implants than teeth that will support the bridge (a series of connected dental crowns). The difference between an implant-supported bridge and a traditional bridge is that traditional bridges often require the periodontist to grind down surrounding teeth which can lead to tooth decay or tooth loss.
All-On-4® is an option for replacing a full set of teeth. Four implants is enough to support a full arch of teeth without them moving or coming loose. This procedure requires you to have any remaining teeth extracted and if necessary, undergo a bone regeneration procedure like bone grafting to restore lost bone and make your jawbone healthy enough to support the implants.
Dental implants are a more permanent solution for tooth replacement, especially if you need a single tooth replaced. They work naturally, like your real teeth, and allow you to regain the chewing power, smile, and general lifestyle that you had before you started losing teeth. Dental implants are also much easier to maintain and clean, and you won’t have to take them out each night before you go to bed like with dentures.
Contact Pacific Northwest Periodontists
Pacific Northwest Specialists in Periodontics and Dental Implants are your dental implant experts in Seattle and the surrounding area. Contact us today if you have any questions about the implant procedure.
