If you’ve suffered tooth loss, you have probably done some research to compare the options for replacing your missing teeth. You may already wear a dental bridge, but have heard that dental implants are better. It can be a shock, however, when you learn that dental implants may take 3-6 months to heal and stabilize before you can attach a replacement tooth, bridge, or denture. It can be an even greater shock when you see the cost difference between implants and more traditional tooth replacements. You may very well be wondering, “are they really worth the extra time and expense?”
Colleyville Implant dentist Dr. Chris Tye can answer all your questions about dental implants. For a commitment-free consultation, call Texas Oral Surgery Specialists at 817-552-3223 for an appointment. Register online for an appointment to learn about Colleyville dental implants.
Are Dental Implants Really Better than Bridges and Dentures?
One of the reasons why patients love their dental implants is because they are a more permanent and natural-feeling way to replace teeth.
Let’s say you’ve lost a single tooth. If you choose to go with a dental bridge, it may not feel especially unnatural, but you will need to have it replaced, eventually. Dental bridges have a finite lifespan, like all dental work. Depending on how you use it, your dental bridge may show signs of failure within five to eight years. You may also run into complications if the teeth supporting your bridge suffer damage and require restorations. For example, a deep cavity or crack in a tooth that supports a bridge will compromise the structure of the restoration. If one of those teeth should fail, the bridge fails too. Implants, however, are independent restorations that often last a lifetime. Once that implant fuses with your jaw bone, it becomes a permanent part of your anatomy. As long as you practice good oral hygiene, that implant will probably function indefinitely.
If you have lost multiple teeth, however, you will notice an enormous difference between dentures and implant-supported dentures. Whether you require partial dentures, full dentures, or an implant bridge—the comfort and convenience of implants is miles beyond even the best-fitting traditional denture. Why is this? Conventional dentures sit on the gums and apply pressure each time you bite and chew. This can make chewing hard foods uncomfortable and may limit your dietary choices. With implant dentures, however, you’ll feel the same freedom your natural teeth allowed: no discomfort, no embarrassing slipping, and a sturdy set of teeth.
Dental implants are also better for your oral health in the long run, as they help you retain your facial bone mass. When teeth are lost, their absence triggers bone resorption in the jaw. Over time, your body reabsorbs bone tissue since there are no longer teeth present in the jaw. This changes the appearance and structure of your face and leads to that “shrunken” look you see in long-time denture wearers.
Why Do Implants Cost So Much More?
The main reasons why implants cost more than traditional bridges and dentures are because (a) they require a highly individualized surgical procedure, (b) they permanently replace a part of your anatomy, and (c) they require a skilled specialist to perform the procedure. Just like a hip replacement or knee replacement surgery, dental implants give you a more permanent replacement for what you have lost.
It’s important to keep in mind that all non-implant tooth replacements will require replacement. Without implants, you may need a new dental bridge every 8-10 years; dentures must be relined every year, and replaced every 3-8 years. With implants, you may pay more initially, but they will need far less maintenance in the future. (You may need to have your implant-based crown (for a single implant) or implant dentures replaced at some point, but the implants themselves usually last a lifetime.)
Find Out What Other Patients Say
One of the best ways to determine whether dental implants are right for you is to hear what actual patients have to say about their implants. Search for “what patients say about implant dentures” or “dental implant testimonials,” for example, and you’ll find a number of opinions from patients who have had implants.
Similarly, you can ask Dr. Tye to share our patient testimonials with you. This will help you understand what to expect from implants, as well as the implant process with Texas Oral Surgery Specialists. Call our office at 817-552-3223 for an appointment with Colleyville implant dentist Dr. Chris Tye.
