Have you lost one or more teeth? If so, you may be wrestling with the decision of how best to replace your missing teeth. In the past, dentures and other tooth replacements didn’t always look and feel like natural teeth. Today, however, dental implants can give you a lifelike prosthetic that feels and acts more like the teeth you once had.

How does it work? Unlike traditional bridges or dentures, dental implants replace the whole tooth from root to crown. A titanium post is embedded into the jaw, so a crown, bridge, or denture can be attached above the gum line. This means your single implant, multiple-implant bridge, or full-arch prosthetic will stay in place when you eat, is easier to care for, and provides natural-looking results.

Are you interested in learning about dental implants? Contact our team at Silver Spring Smiles at 301-588-5400 for a consultation with Dr. Daniel Dufera to see if you are a good candidate for dental implants, Silver Spring, MD.

A Versatile Solution to Tooth Loss

Dental implants are capable of providing a fully functional replacement for natural teeth, so there are many applications for their use. If you’ve lost one tooth, a single implant and crown can be provided. If multiple consecutive teeth are missing, an implant bridge can be made with just two implants. For patients suffering from widespread tooth loss, implant-based dentures can be attached with just four implants per arch. Partial dentures can also be supported by implants, based on your unique oral health needs.

Replace Missing Teeth Permanently

One of the greatest advantages of choosing dental implants is the fact that implants provide a long-lasting solution. Once a dental implant has successfully fused with your jaw, it is a permanent part of your body. As long as you take good care of your implant, it should not need to be replaced. This is a sharp contrast to a dental bridge, which typically loses its effectiveness over time and will need replacement every eight or so years. Like a hip or knee replacement, dental implants are a permanent solution to tooth loss. They truly give you back what you lost.

Implant-Based Prosthetics Improve Quality of Life

Beyond the convenience of permanent tooth replacement, implants offer several benefits over traditional prosthetic teeth. Unlike a traditional dental bridge, a single implant and crown feels no different from a natural tooth and does not require special care. It also does not affect the teeth around it due to its free-standing construction. Since they are firmly anchored in the jaw, implant-based dentures and partials are more stable than traditional dentures. This means they function more like natural teeth and don’t shift or loosen when eating or speaking. They also prevent pressure and friction against the gums. Dental implants can be a life-changing difference for denture-wearers, as they reduce discomfort, renew one’s self-confidence, and allow you enjoy the full range of foods you once ate.

How Implants Differ from Traditional Prosthetics

There are some significant differences between standard and implant-based prosthetics that all patients should be aware of before they consider dental implants.

Dental Implants:

• Take longer than traditional tooth replacements: The process for getting an implant takes about three to six months, as it requires a healing osseointegration period in which the implant is stabilized by new jawbone growth.
• Require a surgical procedure: Since implants are embedded in the jaw, patients will need day surgery and a significant period of post-surgical healing.
• Cost more than traditional bridges and dentures: Dental implants have higher up-front costs than traditional bridges. However,when comparing the cost of implants to the long-term costs of traditional prosthetic, dental implants are more cost-effective due to their durability and stability.
• Better preserve your oral health: Because implants function much like natural teeth, they help you preserve your jawbone mass and keep your natural teeth healthy. Traditional bridges and dentures use your remaining teeth for support, which can take a toll over many years. Implants do not have this problem and help your jawbone, teeth, and gums stay healthier over time.

Learn More About Dental Implants

Would you like to learn more about replacing your missing teeth with implant-based dental prosthetics? Contact Silver Spring Smiles. Dr. Dufera will meet with you to discuss the medical and lifestyle considerations and explain the process in detail. There is no commitment involved with a consultation, and we will provide you with a treatment plan that outlines each step of the process, as well as predicted costs. Call 301-588-5400 to learn more about dental implants, Silver Spring, MD.