Dental Implants - What You Need to Know About This Procedure

It wasn't long ago that you had to opt for a gap or dentures if you wanted to replace teeth that were missing or pulled. Today, we have dental implants that act as an alternative to dentures that many swear are a far better solution. Of course, the cost and elaborate surgery required to implant them in the jaw keeps many from using them, but they are there for those who want something a little more realistic and durable. Nothing can truly replace the natural tooth, but these applications come as close as medical science has managed thus far.

If you're wondering why many regard dental implants as superior to dentures, you need only to ask someone with dentures. Though they can become second nature to someone who has lived with them for a long time, the learning curve on dentures is a steep one. They tend to slide around the mouth when the person is speaking and they can make eating a normal meal a chore. Many people find that their gagging reflex is permanently engaged when they put a set of dentures into their mouths.

Dental implants improve on almost every one of the failings of traditional dentures. They are inserted directly into the jawbone, so there is no need (or ability) to ever remove them for cleaning. They are fastened tightly and permanently into the mouth, so they will not slide around when speaking or eating. They are durable, strong, and virtually indistinguishable from a normal tooth. While having your entire set of teeth replaced by these applications would be prohibitively expensive for most people, they are an ideal way to replace one or two missing teeth.

One thing that a lot of people don't realize is that having a tooth go missing can have a deleterious effect on the bone. Why is that? Well, the bone of the jaw is intended to hold the roots of the teeth in place. When there is no more root there, the bone no longer has a function to follow. This leads to bone disintegration, which can cause the face to morph and droop, as well as cause other problems with the mouth and face. By putting an artificial implant into the jaw, it tells the bone that its function is still needed and prevents some of that decay from occurring.

Dental implants are a viable alternative to dentures, but they aren't for everyone. Talk to your dentist about your options and find out if they will work for your situation.