Hanford family dentist talks about the costs and benefits of dental implants

Losing permanent teeth for any reason can be a troubling event. While missing teeth are not life threatening, they can seriously impact oral health. Our team of dentists at Hanford Family Dental Center recommend replacing missing teeth with high quality restorations such as dental implants. While dental implants can cost more than other restorations initially, they can last a lifetime and provide the greatest stability, aesthetics, and longevity.

Replacing missing teeth is not just about aesthetics, although dental implants do provide patients with a natural looking solution. When permanent teeth are lost due to decay or injury, it impacts oral health. Gaps in the teeth leave room for remaining teeth to shift out of place and possibly come lose. The root of the tooth is needed to stimulate the jawbone and keep it healthy. When the root is missing, the gum tissue and bone can begin to deteriorate.

To keep the mouth healthy after tooth loss, dental implants are a great solution. If you have been considering whether dental implants are the right choice for you, the following guide from our Hanover dentists can help you make your decision.

What are dental implants?

In general terms, a dental implant is an artificial tooth root. It costs more than other restorations such as removable dentures or bridges because it is integrated into the jawbone and becomes part of the natural mouth structure.

The implant itself is put into the jawbone and replaces the missing tooth root. Most dental implants are made out of titanium because it’s a material widely used in other medical procedures and is not likely to be rejected by the body. The titanium implant fuses with the jawbone and becomes the new anchoring foundation for either a crown or dentures. Implants can be used on one missing tooth or to replace an entire arch of teeth.

How implants work

Dental implants require placement in a healthy mouth, therefore any signs of decay or disease must be treated prior to the implant procedure. There also must be sufficient bone structure to support the dental implant. During the consultation process, x-rays are taken to evaluate the strength of the bone. If the jawbone structure is insufficient, a bone graft may be suggested prior to receiving dental implants.

The benefits of dental implants

There are many reasons why dental implants are considered the “gold standard” for tooth restoration over dentures or bridges. The biggest reason is that it stops bone degeneration. When an implant is placed it stimulates the bone tissue similar to the way a tooth root does, which helps patients retain function and the shape of their face. Other benefits include:

• Eliminating the need for denture adjustments and upgrades
• They look and feel like natural teeth
• Implants do not shift out of place
• Speech is not affected
• No long list of foods to avoid
• Do not require altering healthy tooth enamel
• No special cleaning

Deciding if the cost and benefits of dental implants is right for you

Dental implants have a very high success rate as long as there is healthy jawbone. While most patients in good oral health are candidates for implants, patients who are heavy smokers, have chronic gum disease, immune system disorders, or grind their teeth may not be able to receive dental implants. We always make sure to let our patients know if we feel implants are not a suitable option.

Dental implants can last a lifetime with proper oral hygiene and dental care unlike dentures which need to be updated multiple times over the course of a lifetime. It’s important to know that patients can still develop gum disease with implants, so keeping up a good oral health routine is important. Taking care of dental implants is easy, patients just need to brush and floss normally, along with regular dental check-ups.

If your life is impacted negatively by missing teeth, it’s time to come up with a solution. At Hanford Family Dental Center, we believe dental implants can be extremely beneficial and cost-effective over the course of your lifetime. To schedule a consultation with our team call (559) 530-8080. We’re ready to tell you about the benefits of dental implants and help you enjoy a renewed smile.