Comparing Dental Implants to Natural Teeth

According to the American College of Prosthodontists, 178 million Americans have lost at least one tooth and 40 million lack any teeth. Some of this is due to sports or car accidents, but most is because of inadequate brushing and flossing, which leads to gum disease that pulls away support for teeth.

It is Important to Treat Missing Teeth Promptly

Missing teeth cannot be ignored because the body will no longer send nutrients to the socket and causes the neighboring teeth to lean in to “close the gap.” This not only results in those teeth becoming looser, but sets up a chain reaction of misalignment that can lead to more teeth falling out or needing to be extracted.

The good news is that dental implants, especially those made of titanium as at Parthenia Family Dental, can actually provide a stronger and healthier mouth than real teeth. Teeth are vulnerable to the bacteria that thrive on any food particles and produce acids that eat at the hard surface enamel, causing cavities. They also infect the gums, with periodontal disease leading to the loss of more teeth.

Titanium is the go-to material for medical procedures because it can bind to bones  without complications and is the strongest metal known. Our implants consist of a titanium implant screw which is embedded into the jaw and allowed to integrate for a few months, replacing the root of the tooth. It is then attached by a titanium abutment to what looks like a real tooth, made of dental porcelain (which is vulnerable to chewing and grinding, but does not decay).

Dental Implants are Durable

This implant is solid and does not move, while teeth are always a bit wobbly because of the ligaments and roots attached to the gums. 

The process of doing an implant often needs to start with a bone graft where there has been a loss of jawbone, which also needs a few months to heal, but once the implant process is completed it can last 25 years, provided dental hygiene has been good.

Not everyone can qualify for dental implants, such as smokers, those suffering from diabetes, and those with severe osteoporosis. Call Parthenia Family Dental today to make an appointment for a full dental exam and discuss what your best options are for missing teeth.