Dental Implants - The Benefits of Complete Tooth Replacement

Dentists use dental implants to give their patients an artificial tooth, filling in the gap created by loss or extraction. Cavities, gum disease, and injury are but a few ways a tooth can go missing. Unless it is replaced immediately, the chances of putting it back into place are very slim. This leaves the patient with two options. Get a replacement or simply live with the gap. But the considerations for this choice are more than just aesthetic. Leaving the gap can lead to tooth shifting and other problems that could cause dental issues in the future. But that still leaves a choice between a removable denture and a permanent implant.

Obviously, aesthetics will play a major role in a patient's decision. No one looks good with a missing tooth. If it's a front tooth, it will be difficult to be taken seriously when you have a big black gap. Most people are keen to avoid such an appearance. Of course, a partial denture can fill the hole, but there are problems with that decision. The denture may not be particularly comfortable and it may not stay in to the degree that the patient would prefer. It can make eating difficult. Dental implants are designed to replace the tooth from the root up, meaning the patient will hardly be able to tell a difference.

Of course, teeth are designed for more than simply making a person look presentable. Even the rear-most teeth play an important function in chewing food. With gaps, an individual is forced to either deal with food consistently and predictably getting caught in the gums, or must completely change the way they chew their food. This means one side of the teeth may not get used as frequently. While this may not seem like a big deal, it can lead to uneven wear, jaw problems, and even presents a choking hazard in some instances.

Unfortunately, all the news about dental implants is not necessarily good. While there are few alternatives in practice today that provide such a realistic, functional replacement for natural teeth, the truth is that they are expensive. Dentists have their own rates, which will vary from practice to practice around the country, they are almost certain to cost more than even a full set of dentures. Considering the state of dental insurance, this puts a large burden on patients who may not have the money to pay for them. This is why it makes sense to explore every alternative, including finding means of financing, before you make a decision about how to replace your missing teeth.