If you know anything about replacing missing teeth, you’ve probably heard about dental implants. Perhaps you’ve even done a decent amount of research. Still, you may not know certain information that could affect such an essential decision. What lesser-known facts do you need to know before choosing your prosthetic teeth? Here are four important truths you should consider.
Dental Implants Don’t Get Cavities.
Natural teeth may have the strongest material in your body (enamel), but they can be prone to decay. Fortunately, cavities aren’t a problem for implants. The titanium posts, which attach directly to the jawbone, and prosthetic restoration won’t erode, which means you can rely on these replacement teeth to stay strong.
That said, you need to keep in mind that other issues, such as gum infections, could endanger your implants if you aren’t careful. As a result, it’s still important to take care of your implants through diligent daily oral hygiene and regular dental checkups.
Dental Implants Have a High Success Rate.
Undergoing any procedure involves at least a small risk of failure, but dental implants are generally very successful. In fact, 95 percent of implants are still functioning well even 10 years after placement. As a result, you can choose dental implants confident that your prosthetic teeth will work out wonderfully!
Dental Implants Are Almost as Strong as Natural Teeth.
Although there’s no true substitute for the real thing, implants come close to giving you back your original biting strength. In fact, while traditional dentures restore about 25 percent of your bite force, dental implants bring back about 70 to 75 percent. With implants, you should be able to eat basically any food you’d like, including raw vegetables, juicy steak, and more. In other words, implants are the best option for strength and nutrition.
Dental Implants Could End Up Saving You Money.
At first glance, dental implants do not seem to be a cost-effective option for replacement compared to normal dentures and bridges. However, these traditional options come with shorter lifespans and must be replaced every so often. When you add up the cost of replacements over time, dental implants may prove to be less expensive.
Ultimately, the decision for your replacement teeth is between you and your dentist, but you shouldn’t select the right one until you have all the facts. Talk to your dentist so that you can get even more information about these gold-standard replacements. Armed with knowledge, you can choose the solution that will best serve your smile.
About the Author
Dr. George Hoop comes from a family with many dentists. In fact, he knew he wanted to be a dentist in the 8th grade, and he has continued to love this choice in his 30 years of practice. Throughout his career, he has studied with some of the country’s most prestigious organizations, including the Dawson Academy, the Pankey Institute, and more. If you are interested in learning more about dental implants, contact Total Dental Solutions online or call our Naples office at 239-594-8817.