Has your dental bridge reached its maximum lifespan or is it starting to fail? Flossing around your bridge is a headache, and you’d like to simplify your life. You’ve also noticed you natural teeth that hold your restoration in place are left defenseless to decay. The American Academy of Implant Dentistry recommends replacing your outdated restoration with one of the most advanced dental procedures, dental implants. They’re a long-lasting stable solution to missing teeth that aren’t just aesthetically pleasing, but they’re also great for your health. Learn why replacing your bridge with dental implants is the preferred option below.
What’s Causing Your Bridge To Fail?
If you’ve been properly caring for your dental bridge, it’s probably lasted you anywhere from 5 to 10 years. If your dental bridge has failed, it could be due to other factors too. When your dentist filed down the natural teeth that are holding your bridge, it leaves them defenseless to decay and gum disease. Once these teeth holding your bridge in place decay, it could cause the restoration to fail.
Whether your restoration is reaching its max lifespan, or it’s failing due to various other factors, it’s time to get it replaced. Leaving gaps in your mouth can have detrimental effects on your oral health. Speak to your dentist about how dental implants could be a better option for you.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are surgically placed titanium posts that fuse with your jaw to provide restorations such as dentures, bridges, or crowns with a stable and durable foundation. Because the implants replace your natural tooth’s root, they’re able to offer a laundry list of aesthetic and health benefits that traditional restorations can’t.
What Benefits Do Dental Implants Offer You?
Dental implant surgery is highly successful and predictable because it’s guided by highly precise, advanced technology. With a 97% success rate, it’s no wonder why most dentists would advise patients to replace their failing bridges with implants. This procedure can offer a variety of benefits, including:
- Natural Look and Feel. Implants are specially designed to look and function as your natural teeth would. Because they fuse with your jaw, you’ll hardly notice the difference. You can also care for them exactly as you would with your natural teeth.
- Long Lifespan and Reliable. With proper oral hygiene, your implants can last over 25 years.
- Improved Basic Functions Like Chewing and Speaking. With restorative options that rely on suction, you’ll notice that they slip or shift when you’re chewing or speaking, making for an awkward social situation. Because your replacement teeth will be secured to a sturdy and stable foundation, you won’t have to worry about that with implants.
- Promote Bone Growth and Improved Facial Features. Because your titanium implants will fuse with your jaw, they stimulate your oral tissues and bone and promote their growth. You’ll notice that with other restoration options, your jawbone and tissues aren’t engaged, so over time, your face will appear droopy or saggy. You won’t have this problem with implants.
Because of all the advantages that this procedure has to offer, implants are a great investment in your oral health. Avoid the headache of hard-to-care-for restorative options and simplify and improve your quality of life. Schedule a consultation with your dentist to discuss how replacing your failing bridge with implants can benefit you.
About the Author
Dr. Scott Wehrkamp became a Fellow in the International Congress of Oral Implantology in 2012 by receiving specialized training and education regarding implants. He has successfully treated and documented over 20 implant cases and continues providing patients with bright and healthy smiles. He doesn’t just restore, but also surgically places implants himself. When patients are seeking out the most experience and knowledge in implant dentistry, they gravitate towards Dr. Wehrkamp. For questions or to schedule a consultation for dental implants, visit his website or contact 605-582-6522.