Dental implants are among the most rapidly growing dental treatment options available today, with over three million people in the U.S. having dental implants [1]. They’re particularly prevalent among seniors where tooth loss is common, but they also provide solutions for patients of all ages.
There are many reasons why people are choosing dental implants over other tooth replacement options like dentures or bridges. The appearance of their smile, their quality of life, and long-term oral health all benefit from dental implants. Here are the top reasons so many people are choosing them today.
- Improved Oral Health
While many patients might focus on the appearance and functionality of tooth replacements, long-term oral health is just as important. Missing teeth can lead to a wide range of negative outcomes, including soft-tissue and bone deterioration.
Dentures have long been among the most widely used tooth replacement options. However, one of their most notable downsides is their inability to prevent jawbone deterioration.
With a full mouth of natural teeth, the jawbone maintains its shape partially due to the pressure exerted by the roots of the teeth. Dentures don’t cause this same pressure, allowing the jawbone to deteriorate and lose mass very quickly.
Dental implants help prevent jawbone deterioration. Because the implants are embedded in the jawbone, they exert a similar pressure to natural tooth roots. This provides a much better long-term outlook for patients regarding oral health.
A study in the International Journal of Implant Dentistry highlights the positive impact of dental implants on long-term oral health [2]. Researchers found that bone levels remained clinically stable at a five-year check-in with patients who had dental implants.
Soft tissue health showed similar results. Probing tests were conducted to gauge the strength of soft tissue in the mouth, and 99% of patients showed no bleeding of the gums during testing at the five-year mark.
It’s clear from both this study and the general consensus in prosthodontics that dental implants are an excellent option for long-term oral health.
- The Patient Experience
Another important area where dental implants improve over other tooth replacement options is the patient experience. Individual patients can have improved quality of life across a range of criteria.
First, dental implants can greatly improve patients’ confidence compared to those with dentures. Dental implants look incredibly natural, providing a beautiful smile that patients have no reason to shy away from. Because dental implants are permanent, there’s no need to worry about having dentures slip at an embarrassing time.
Dental implants also allow for more natural chewing and speaking. With missing teeth or with dentures, these simple everyday activities can become difficult. Because dental implants have a solid foundation, they can provide the closest approximation to eating and speaking with natural teeth.
Dental implants can also be significantly more comfortable than dentures. Dentures can slip and rub in the mouth, causing sore spots to emerge. Dental adhesives can help sometimes, but not always.
Over time, dentures can begin to deform. Even dentures that fit very well when new can cause painful rubbing later on. Dental implants avoid these issues entirely, improving the quality of your day-to-day life.
The same study in the International Journal of Implant Dentistry that demonstrated long-term health outcomes also included an analysis of patient satisfaction [2]. Across all categories, between 80 and 90 percent of patients were “very satisfied,” with most of the remainder being “satisfied.” Satisfaction steadily increased each year as patients became accustomed to their dental implants.
When it comes to what you’ll actually experience in your day-to-day life, dental implants could be the best tooth replacement option.
- Versatility
Dental implants provide tooth replacement solutions for a very wide range of situations. This makes dental implants a suitable treatment for patients who are missing a single tooth, multiple teeth, or even a full mouth of teeth [3].
Single tooth dental implants can help restore the appearance of a smile and prevent long-term issues in patients with just one missing tooth. While retaining the root and placing a crown is generally preferable, that isn’t always possible.
For a single missing tooth, a dental implant fills the gap and prevents other teeth from shifting. If the gap isn’t filled, surrounding teeth can move into the gap, causing misalignments, grinding, and other issues. Eventually, the patient could require orthodontic treatment if they don’t deal with the issue.
Dental implants are also suitable for individuals with multiple missing teeth, fulfilling the same role as a dental bridge or partial denture. When multiple teeth are missing in a row, two dental implants can serve as the foundation for a bridge, similar to how two natural teeth would in other cases.
In some cases, bridges aren’t an option because the teeth surrounding the gap aren’t strong or healthy enough to provide a foundation. Even if they are, dental implants are a good alternative option because they don’t require any modification to existing natural teeth.
Finally, full-mouth dental implants provide an effective alternative for patients missing most or all of their natural teeth. Full-mouth dental implants generally rely on the All-on-4 system or other similar treatments. In this treatment, four dental implants replace each full arch replacement, one on the top and one on the bottom.
No matter what your situation may be, dental implants are worth taking a look at to deal with any missing teeth.
Finding Out If Dental Implants Are Right for You
The benefits of dental implants are very clear with incredible versatility, long-term health effects, and patient experience. However, how can you know if they’re right for you? Dental implants are often a viable treatment option, but they aren’t right for everyone.
The only way to determine whether dental treatment options are a good fit for you is to reach out to your dentist. They’ll be able to provide you with a consultation and may refer you to a prosthodontist – a dentist who specializes in tooth replacement. Taking this first step could help you deal with missing teeth in the best way possible.
References:
[1] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210909141258.htm
[2] https://journalimplantdent.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s40729-020-00211-z
[3] https://www.perio.org/for-patients/periodontal-treatments-and-procedures/dental-implant-procedures/