It used to be that your only option for removing a tooth was to replace it with dentures or partial dentures. Now you have a convenient, safe, and permanent alternative to dentures. Dental implants are prosthetic devices that replace teeth and give the appearance of being natural, original teeth. Many dentists believe dental implants are the most functional and durable method for replacing teeth. Best of all, once they have been place in your mouth, they can be treated just like normal teeth. The teeth surrounding your implant can also be treated as if you have a complete set of natural teeth. According to Dr. Frantz Backer, lead dentist at Advanced Dentistry of New York, in Jackson Heights, New York, “Teeth that are near dental implants can normally be treated if they are diseased.” It is important to understand that the same problems that caused you to need dental implants may affect other teeth in your mouth. If you needed to replace your original teeth, you should be aware of how to care for your remaining natural teeth and your implants to avoid future problems.
Causes of Tooth Loose
In most cases, tooth loss can be avoided. This is why it is still important to continue to diligently maintain your oral health following your implant procedure. Even if a single tooth or a portion of your teeth have been replaced by implants, you should still try to keep the rest of your natural teeth healthy and strong. While dental implants are a safe option to correct your smile if you have experienced tooth loss, but keeping your natural teeth in your mouth is always preferable to artificial replacements.
Advantages to Implants
Since implants are treated like natural teeth, there are a number advantages to choosing implants as your method of tooth replacement. Traditional dentures may slip or move in your mouth, causing speech problems and eating difficulties. Once implants are installed, they do not shift when speaking or chewing. There is also no need to worry about removing implants from your mouth for soaking or cleaning. Dental implants are cleaned exactly the same way your natural teeth. In fact, you and your dentist may be the only people who know your natural teeth are missing.
Technological advances in dental implant creation and installation have made it possible for implants to function the same as your regular teeth. These advances have made implants so effective that your bite alignment may not be affected at all by the installation. Creating dentures that do not affect the alignment of your bite and the positioning of your other teeth is nearly impossible. Over time, the removal and insertion of traditional dentures may cause wear and tear on your natural teeth. Since implants are installed and never removed, this wear and tear is not an issue. Technology has enable implants to be more like your natural teeth, maintaining a healthy bite alignment in your mouth.
It will also be necessary to alter your natural teeth to support traditional dentures. These alterations weaken your natural teeth and create pain, as well as the possibility of future problems like cracking and breaking. Traditional dentures may also lead to bone loss issues, and in some cases, your jawbone could eventually recede and collapse. Since dental implants are installed without altering any adjacent teeth, long-term problems are prevented.
Keeping Your Mouth Healthy
One thing dentists and patients like most about dental implants is the fact that implant maintenance is no different than traditional oral care. If the teeth next to the implant needs dental treatment, the work can be done without damaging the implant. At home, you brush and floss implants as you would regular teeth. You can even use certain tooth whitening methods on implants should they become discolored.
Whether you choose dental implants because they are convenient, they look like regular teeth, or they help you maintain the health of your remaining natural teeth, they are almost always the best option for tooth replacement. If your dentist has suggested dental implants and you are concerned about caring for the implants as well as your natural teeth, you have little to worry about. Speak with a dentist like Dr. Frantz Backer who has experience working with dental implants and guiding patients through the installation and aftercare of this tooth replacement method.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
