Dental implants are ceramic or titanium posts that act like the roots of your natural teeth. They are inserted into the jawbone to hold permanent or removable prosthetic teeth, which are made to match your natural teeth. They create a strong foundation to attach a replacement tooth.
You may be wondering the difference between dental implants and dentures. Dentures are substitutes for your teeth as opposed to replacements. They are removable and sit on top of your gums. They are usually made of metal, acrylic, nylon plates and porcelain teeth.
Dental implants have many benefits over dentures, including:
Many patients find dental implants to be more comfortable than dentures. Your gums shift their shape to fill the holes left behind by missing teeth, which causes dentures to become loose over time.
Dentures sometimes slide around inside your mouth, making it difficult to chew. Dental implants, though, are fixed in your jaw, just like natural teeth. This allows you to enjoy your favorite foods without pain or worry!
Again, because dentures may move around, they can cause you to slur your words or mumble. Thanks to the sturdiness of impacts, you can speak clearly without your teeth slipping out of place.
Because the dental crown fits nicely over the implant and is custom-made to look like your teeth, you’ll immediately feel confident again. Plus, dental implants help to maintain your jaw and face shape better than dentures.
With proper at-home care, dental implants can last a lifetime. Dentures, however, should be realigned per your dentist’s recommendation and replaced completely every five to eight years.
Lastly, implants allow for better oral health, thanks to easier access between your teeth for flossing. Plus, as dentures move around, they can make your gums sore. Even worse, bacteria and fungi can grow in the cracks of your dentures and lead to infection.
Moreover, with dentures, patients often need to have nearby teeth shaved down to wear a tooth-supposed bridge. No teeth need to be changed for implants, which is better for your long-term dental health.
There are two types of dental implants that differ in the way they attach to your jawbone: endosteal implant and subperiosteal implant.
This type of implant looks like a screw, cylinder, or blade that is implanted into your jaw bone during surgery. Each implant can hold one or more artificial teeth. It is the most common type of implant and is a good option for patients with bridges or removable dentures.
This type of implant is placed on top of your jaw. The posts stick out through your gum and hold your replacement teeth. This option is often best for people who can’t wear removable dentures or don’t have enough bone in their jaw to hold an endosteal implant.
Over 150 million people in the United States have missing teeth, making them potential candidates for dental implants. To be an ideal patient for this dental procedure, you should:
Additionally, it’s important that you don’t smoke or have a health condition that impacts your ability to heal bone. Finally, you must be willing to commit to several months of dental appointments as you complete the process.
We hope you’ll choose Maitland Ave Smile Co. for your dental care!
Call us at 407.834.0330 to schedule your appointment today! Check out our Dental Blog to learn more about topics like your family’s dental routine, dental anxiety, and more.
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