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Why Dental Implants are THAT Popular and What It Means for You
We hear the term used frequently. It’s become the measure of internet fame.
I’m talking about something “going viral.”
If you could gauge the success of missing teeth treatment there’s one you could safely say has “gone viral.”
Dental implants have gained popularity year after year. The reasons have as much to do with practical functionality as with cosmetic appearance and return on investment.
The procedure is often misunderstood. And some consider it an intimidating option for replacing missing or damaged teeth.
Allow me to alleviate the fear and misunderstanding. In fact, you’ll find the answers to most of your questions about dental implants on this blog.
•How implants function
•The cost effectiveness of dental implants
•Deciding between dental implants and dentures
And the list goes on.
Your concerns are valid.
The decision is ultimately up to you. But it’s helpful to understand the bottom-line benefits of dental implant treatment.
The basics…
• Your dental implant is made of titanium and resembles a small screw.
• It’s surgically implanted in your gums and adapts to your bone tissue forming a new tooth root.
• A crown will be placed on top of the abutment (secured post) to create an appealing and functional new tooth.
The real-deal
Dental implant treatment is somewhat “viral” in popularity because the benefits are outstanding. Missing teeth can create a number of concerns and each one is overcome with your implant procedure.
1-A permanent solution
Your dental implant is commonly a onetime tooth replacement option. The shelf-life of dentures and dental bridges do not typically compare with implants.
Your dental implant is solidly anchored to your jawbone. And it will not loosen or lose its shape throughout the years unlike regular dentures.
2-Lasting durability
Remember your dental implant is made of titanium. This strong metal substance forms your new tooth root.
The crown attachment is crafted from porcelain. It will sustain bite and chewing force in the same way your natural tooth would.
3-Natural appearance
Your dental implant will blend in with your natural teeth. Shading and shape are matched to enhance the appearance of your smile alongside your adjoining teeth.
4-Physically compatible
That’s an easy way to say, “Your dental implant will get along with your gum and bone tissue.” Your bone will actually adapt to the implant and form a new, strong tooth root.
5-Fully functional
Your dental implant will function comfortably alongside your surrounding teeth. Biting and chewing will be evenly distributed onto your implant as it would your natural tooth.
6-Low maintenance
Use common, daily oral hygiene on your dental implant as you would your natural teeth. Careful flossing and brushing around the edges of your crown is essential to prevent the growth of bacteria from infecting your adjoining tooth/teeth.
It’s important to make an informed decision about implant treatment. These days there’s information of viral proportions to assist you with your choice.
I also recommend a face to face consultation in our dental office. You will receive answers relevant to your specific oral health condition.
A Few Cost-Benefit Facts You Might Not Have Considered About Dental Implants
Demand for products and services can drive cost. One trip to the gas pump or your grocer’s produce department is proof of this economic reality.
Dental implant treatment is in high demand today. And this may prompt you to ask:
“Does demand drive the cost of implant treatment up?”
Or…
“Can I get long-term, cost-effective benefits from dental implants instead of dental bridges or dentures?”
Your questions can indicate that you’re thinking this common oral surgery procedure might be out of your league financially.
Hold that thought.
Relief comes when you begin comparing dental implants to other, popular, tooth replacement options.
Perspective can save you money.
Tooth loss is traumatic. I don’t need to tell you that, right?
When you’re the victim it’s no surprise that you want a cost effective option. And you want something that lasts without added expense alongside a procedure that restores your appearance.
The “Facts” are in your favor.
Fact: Dental implants are more durable than dental bridges and dentures.
Reason: Your implant actually becomes part of your jawbone structure. When it’s surgically inserted into you bone tissue it is absorbed over time, anchoring your surface tooth (dental crown) to your new tooth root (dental implant).
Bonus: Dental implants prevent movement and bone atrophy in your jaw. Bridges and dentures are not secure like implants.
They shift. And their mobility wears away your bone structure over time.
Fact: Dental implants stay put.
Reason: They will not lose “fit” as your jawbone structure changes. Bridges and dentures change the shape of your jawbone when changes occur.
Bonus: Your dental implant(s) require fewer appointments in our dental office. Less follow-up and adjustments translates to cost-savings.
Fact: Dental implants get-along with your surrounding teeth.
Reason: Your implant is independent yet supportive of your adjoining and neighboring teeth. Bridges and dentures require the support of your adjacent teeth. They can wear down your bone tissue and vital surface tooth enamel.
Bonus: Your dental implant(s) are easier to maintain. They can be brushed and flossed in the same period of time as your other teeth.
Don’t be discouraged about the high demand and perceived cost issues of dental implant treatment. Schedule a consultation to ask all your questions and receive answers about the long-term health and cost benefits of dental implants.
When Tooth Durability is Compromised and What You Can Do About It
Durability. Companies like to promote their product’s ability to withstand everyday disasters.
And your teeth are not to be ignored in a discussion about durability.
You subject them daily to temperature extremes and acid via what you eat and drink. Your teeth are being attacked by bacteria as we speak.
The routine force exerted on them can exceed 120 pounds per square inch. And yet all things considered, if you take care of them, your teeth will last decades.
It’s a harsh environment
Keeping your mouth healthy is a major challenge. Common threats like bacteria, infection, cavities, decay, trauma, or tooth loss make protecting your teeth a top priority.
Teeth are durable. In fact, they’re among the most durable bones in your entire body.
But they are not indestructible. The big question is, can they be saved if they become a victim of trauma or dental health issues such as decay.
Should you feel threatened?
The topic of decay leads the discussion of threats to your oral health. This is especially true if dental decay advances deep into your tooth or teeth.
Once the pulp or nerve tissue is compromised a full-blown infection can set in. If the infection is sourced in your tooth roots the threat increases.
Scary language isn’t often enough to motivate change. You’re accustomed to hearing about the danger and damage that your diet can have on the health of your teeth.
Diet isn’t the only issue. Poor dental care is also to blame.
The threat is imminent if you avoid routine, daily dental care (brushing and flossing) plus scheduled dental exams and teeth cleanings (recommended two times per year).
The silent “enemy”
Bacteria were mentioned earlier. They cause problems for your teeth, out of sight, as a microscopic enemy.
The result of a bacterial attack is tooth decay that leads to gum (periodontal) disease and bone loss. Be concerned because this can happen slowly, silently, and sometimes without pain.
Again, it’s important to schedule regular dental check-ups and exams. These appointments give us opportunity to detect potential risks that you’re not aware of.
Watch your blindside
It’s those seeming out-of-nowhere circumstances that can also do damage to your teeth. And even cause tooth loss.
Sports injuries, random accidents, clenching or grinding your teeth threaten your teeth with fractures and in some instances with a loss of tooth structure.
Once an infection sets in you could require root canal therapy. This procedure is successful to treat your severely decayed teeth, especially when the damage is into the pulp portion.
Your Plan B
Tooth damage, tooth loss, and tooth decay, no doubt, require care. On occasion, the recommended care will include dental implant treatment.
For example, root canal failure could be cause for a reassessment. Before root canal re-treatment is pursued it’s necessary to evaluate the reason for the failure, how strong the treated tooth and its root are, your overall health, and what could be involved in retreating the tooth.
Dental implants provide a solid tooth replacement option when your damaged tooth or teeth have been compromised by decay or the need for a treatment reassessment following root canal therapy
Dental implants:
• Have predictable outcomes
• Last for decades
• Are functional and enhance your appearance
• Can effectively replace single or multiple teeth in your upper or lower jaw
• Help maintain your jawbone and facial structure
• Provide stand-alone support without the need for adjacent teeth
• Will not be a victim of tooth decay
It’s important to talk with me about the circumstances of your tooth loss, tooth pain, or the damage caused by progressive tooth decay. Your treatment success depends on a careful assessment of the factors that uniquely affect you.
How Prepared Are You for Tooth Loss?
Maybe you’re one who likes to “file-things-away.” If so, you get credit for thinking ahead and being prepared.
No one plans for tooth loss. But you can “file-away” a solution that will come in handy should the need arise.
Regardless of how it happens, a missing tooth is traumatic. In fact, mouth trauma ranks high on the dramatic life event scale.
The first thing that comes to mind.
Almost reflexively, you will reach for a mirror when mouth or tooth impact occurs.
Why?
You’re checking to see the gap and how large it is. This cosmetic-level reaction is normal.
Your smile frames your face. One missing tooth, especially front and center, can alter your appearance.
This alone is baseline motivation to seek a solution. And who would blame you.
As important as your appearance, there’s another reason tooth loss is traumatic.
Your teeth have a practical function. Lose one or more of them and you’ll immediately feel the impact at meal time.
A single missing tooth can impact your ability to chew effectively. Poor chewing can lead to digestive and dietary issues too.
Also, your remaining teeth must compensate for the one that’s absent. This can cause wear and eventually create alignment problems.
What starts with a single missing tooth can transition to damaged surrounding teeth and possible orthodontic treatment challenges.
Let’s go a bit deeper.
Your tooth roots create stability within your jawbone. When tooth loss occurs, the root is damaged or it accompanies the traumatized tooth.
Root loss is a problem also. If your tooth root isn’t replaced your jawbone will begin to atrophy and potentially lead to the loss of other, currently healthy, teeth.
The shift and drift effect.
Tooth movement can lead to misalignment. Untreated tooth movement can cause bite and gum issues – some as serious as periodontal disease.
And we haven’t even mentioned the impact a missing tooth can have on your speech. So, add that to the list of tooth loss drama.
A tooth replacement option to file-away (and use when necessary)
Dental implant treatment replaces your missing tooth or teeth and puts an end to tooth loss drama. Implants are uniquely designed to mimic your natural tooth structure and function.
They improve your appearance with a visible, natural looking crown on the surface. More significant, they create a solid, new tooth root that stabilizes your jawbone and surrounding teeth.
Your jawbone will bond with your dental implant. This process restores the practical function of your missing tooth.
Plan now so you’re prepared later.
Sooner is better when replacing your missing teeth. Having this information on-hand will enable you to respond quickly when you, a family member, a friend, or colleague experiences the trauma of tooth loss.
Contact us about a free consultation. This quick and easy appointment will provide you answers to your tooth replacement questions.
Who Said Dental Implants are Foolproof?
Some people bail at the first sign of failure. Others cry, “Foul,” and tell themselves it was destined to fail anyway.
Ultimately, it’s a matter of perspective. And one that builds an allowance for failure into the process.
Dental implants, it’s safe to say, are not foolproof. It’s important to understand this so you can anticipate the potential for failure and put contingencies in place.
It might seem strange that a fan of implant treatment would even admit to its shortcomings. Again, the success of your dental implant procedure will increase if you’re aware of how they can fail.
“Know thy enemy…”
We’ve talked about the importance of your implant integrating with your bone and gum tissue. This process is known as osseointegration.
Dental implants are certainly a solid tooth replacement option. And once yours adapts with your jawbone it will function as if it’s a natural part of your mouth.
But this is where familiarity and function can collide. When it does your implant can fail.
Enemy 1: Stress and bite force.
Once your dental implant has been accepted into it’s easy to forget it’s there. This is a good thing…until you exert too much force while biting.
You might also discover another issue too. Clenching or grinding you teeth can stress your dental implant just as it would your natural teeth.
The downside: stress can lead to bone loss around your implant, your dental crown can break or wear excessively, or your implant could fracture.
The upside remedy: your teeth grinding or clenching can be treated with a dental night guard. Wearing this treatment during sleep will counter the negative impact of biting stress on your implant, crown, and the surrounding gum and bone tissue.
Enemy 2: Gum disease
This is a significant cause of trouble for your dental implant. You are at greater risk when your gum tissue become infected or inflamed.
Causes vary. The most common involves bacteria growth within your tissue.
The downside: painful inflammation that leads to infection.
The upside solution: treating the source of the inflammation before it transition to full-blown infection and maintaining your gum health with consistent oral hygiene.
Your gum tissue forms a tight pocket for your healthy teeth. Your implant relies on the security of healthy gums as well.
All infection risks should be monitored and treated before they worsen. Inflammation that’s untreated can infect the tissue and compromise your dental implant.
Another big problem you shouldn’t ignore
Inflammation and infection are also a threat to your bone tissue. You jawbone forms the anchor point for your dental implant and must remain healthy for long term success.
Watch for redness, swelling, and bleeding around your gum and bone tissue. These are warning signs of deeper problems that could loosen and ultimately cause you to lose your implant.
Preserving your bone tissue is a high priority. And if necessary, additional oral surgery can repair bone loss and re-anchor your dental implant.
It’s best to avoid these lurking enemies. Routine dental check-ups, consistent dental hygiene, and responsive treatment options help guarantee the health of your dental implant.
Reliability Factor of Your Dental Implant
It’s said, “There are no guarantees…” But that’s not entirely true.
The good news? You can up the reliability factor if you’re aware of what failures to avoid.
Dental implants have a reputation of long-term reliability. It’s why they’ve continued to maintain popularity as a tooth replacement option for over 30 years.
In fact, dental implants have a 95% success rate for a period of up to 10 years. No other tooth replacement treatment compares over the long haul.
The secret to your success
Understanding the technology helps you understand its success.
The implant itself forms the new (replacement) tooth root. It’s typically crafted from titanium.
The screw-like design and shape forms a solid foundation for your new tooth. When placed in the jawbone beneath your gums the tissue integrates with it over time.
Once healing has occurred your crown will placed on top of the abutment. Your crown provides you a new, cosmetic dental treatment that improves your appearance.
Plan for it.
Tooth loss can result from poor dental hygiene. It can also occur randomly, by accident.
Replacing your missing tooth or teeth should be anything but random or unplanned. Dental implants require strategic, careful planning to assure reliability.
Your medical history matters. And it’s important to be as thorough as possible.
The prescriptions you take can have an impact on your dental implant procedure. And so can your use of over-the-counter medications including supplements.
Be prepared to share and discuss your medical details with us during your free consultation. This helps us pinpoint any potential problems that could impact the success of your implant treatment.
A comprehensive examination is important too. X-ray scans are an essential element of this process.
It’s vital to have as much information about your jawbone as possible. The location of your nerves, blood vessels, and sinus cavities will help us understand how and where to accurately place your implant.
This preliminary step also provides us necessary information about the amount of bone that’s available for your dental implant. If bone is lacking, we are prepared to offer a bone graft to assure stable tissue for your implant.
Dental implants have a reputation for success. You can guarantee that yours is no exception by understanding what’s involved and planning for the best possible outcomes.
If You Want to Improve the Lifetime Value of Your Dental Implants, Don’t Skip This
You’ve been there. You purchased a product or service on perceived value.
Then it happened! A problem arose.
Now, where’s the support?
No doubt there’s significant value accompanying dental implant treatment. Even better – your support is built in.
What do I mean?
Deciding to have oral surgery is a major step. And you should expect that post-operative protocol is essential to the lifetime value of your dental implant.
Hold that thought on “lifetime value.” We’ll return to that in a moment.
The follow-up factor
Many factors affect the success of your dental implant. Including…
• Preliminary (in our case, free) consultation
• Bone and gum tissue health
• Treatment expertise
• Bone adaptation after placement (osseointegration).
And the all-important topic of the moment…
• Follow-up appointments.
Healing begins the moment the implant is placed. But it is sustained during the monitoring phase.
Don’t miss it!
Why? Because the early stages, following implant placement, is where problems can be spotted, treated, and eliminated.
Typically, expect your first follow-up to be within three to four weeks of your oral surgery. This allows us eyes-on opportunity to check the progress of your healing.
And this is vital to the success of your implant.
The stability of your dental implant relies on how it integrates with your jawbone. Your bone tissue must bond, in a timely way, with the titanium post (your implant).
This process (osseointegration) can require several months. During that time, it’s important that you’re consistent with your scheduled follow-up appointments.
It’s great to feel good and we want to keep it that way.
We hope and plan to provide you a worry-free implant treatment. And frankly, any issues that arise makes it all the more important to be monitored via regular follow-up.
Count on your follow-up appointment frequency to be reduced as time goes by. Within an appropriate amount of months it won’t be necessary.
A shift in your priorities
This where lifetime value comes into view. It’s vital to treat each dental procedure as an essential element of your healthy life plan.
Your new dental implant is no doubt part of that. And even though it’s not vulnerable to decay (as a natural tooth is) the bone and gum tissue it’s placed within is.
Lifetime value for your dental care relies on routine check-ups, dental exams, and teeth cleanings. These regularly scheduled appointments provide consistent monitoring of your overall oral health.
Teeth are for life. And your dental implants are no exception.
Schedule a consultation to determine how implant treatment can replace your missing teeth. And continue to maintain the health of your teeth and gums by scheduling your next dental exam and teeth cleaning.
The Bare Essentials of Dental Implant Treatment
Telling it like it is. First, this isn’t a warning that bluntness is about to occur.
Rather, it’s a cut-to-the-chase…just-the-facts-ma’am list of a few top reasons your choice of dental implant treatment couldn’t be better.
So, without further delay…
A dental restoration as close to natural as possible
Dental implants are more than a surface, cosmetic treatment. In fact, what’s beneath the surface makes them a solid restorative dental treatment.
Your implant comes complete with a new tooth root. A dental implant creates a solid foundation where it counts – beneath the gum tissue in the space your complete missing tooth once occupied.
Your new tooth root (implant) and the visible tooth (crown) on the surface enable you to bite and chew comfortably…and naturally…once again.
Save-face (let me explain)
Tooth loss can set off an avalanche of problems. It’s essential to treat it sooner rather than later.
The reason? Your facial bone structure is at risk the longer you delay tooth replacement.
Following tooth loss the bones in your face will begin to collapse if you delay replacement. Treating the missing tooth gap(s) with dental implants helps preserve your facial bone structure.
Low impact
Your teeth work together. A missing tooth can add stress to the surrounding teeth.
Some tooth replacement options, though practical, can impact the appearance and structure of adjoining teeth. For example, a dental bridge will require surrounding teeth to be altered with grinding so the bridge can be attached.
This compromises the tooth surface and structure. And the results can potentially put your long term health at risk.
Even the clasps on partial dentures can impact surrounding teeth. They can loosen as a result.
Dental implants replace missing teeth without the unnecessary impact on your adjacent teeth. This removes damage potential and creates a healthier mouth.
Smile enhancement
A single damaged or missing tooth can completely change the appearance of your smile. And again, the long term impact of less effective treatments or avoiding treatment can substantially change how your smile looks.
Dental implant treatment creates a natural, smile enhancing appearance. Your implant(s) strengthen your bone, facial structure, and overall quality of your mouth.
Reduced maintenance
Oral hygiene is always important. With dental implants it’s easier.
Clean the crown (top) portion of your implant as you would your natural tooth. Compared to cleaning a tooth supported bridge or denture, your dental implant requires much less daily maintenance.
Lifestyle upgrade
Think of your dental implant treatment as more than a dental procedure. This reduces it to something clinical instead of something transformational.
Taking action is the first step towards improving your life. This applies to implants.
Tooth replacement with dental implants preserves the health of your mouth and facial structure. This is step towards improving your overall mindset about your appearance.
Experience renewed self confidence and self esteem. Smiling is only the beginning of your lifestyle upgrade.
Dental implants also replace chronic discomfort with comfortable eating and chewing. They eliminate the high maintenance of dentures and partials too.
Ask us about all the lifestyle benefits of dental implants. Better yet, schedule a consultation and get all your questions answered on the spot.
This Could Complicate Your Dental Implant Treatment
The New Year (or any time for that matter) is no time for delays. It’s time to prioritize and do what’s necessary to assure your good health – especially your dental health.
The previous year might have left you with something missing. And if a single tooth or multiple teeth are what’s being missed it’s time to take preventative action.
Delaying treatment for missing teeth only complicates things. Why start your clean slate with unnecessary complications?
Why out-of-sight-out-of-mind isn’t a good idea
It’s common to delay replacement of a missing tooth or teeth. After all, if you can’t see the space that remains, why bother?
There are a few key reasons to take action. The consequences can be detrimental to your oral health if you postpone treatment.
The empty space might not be impacting your smile as we speak. But ongoing delay will.
Your teeth will begin to shift. And when this occurs it will become increasingly difficult (perhaps even painful) to chew and speak properly (not to mention how your smile appears).
Think long term
You can fill the missing tooth space with a number of treatments. Dentures and dental bridges are among the common choices.
But there’s one treatment that has significant long term benefit for your oral health and smile appearance.
Dental implants are a solid, trustworthy, and attractive tooth replacement option. Dentures and dental bridges lack an all-important feature.
A dental implant provides a new, artificial tooth root. And the attractive, tooth colored dental crown provides an appealing cosmetic dental aspect to enhance your smile.
The solid truth
Once your dental implant is placed something unique to the treatment happens. The bone in your jaw will integrate with your new implant root.
This assures you greater stability and function. Other tooth replacement options lack this vital element.
Beyond that, your dental implant prevents your jawbone from eroding. Tissue that is left on its own – without a tooth – will eventually deteriorate causing the surrounding teeth and bone to weaken.
When bone loss occurs you face more serious dental issues. Any future implant treatment could be at risk due to a lack of adequate, strong bone tissue.
Bone grafts are an option. But with delayed tooth replacement, the lack of healthy or available bone tissue will prohibit you from dental implant success.
Tooth loss affects your entire lifestyle. This is especially true when you delay replacement.
Chewing your food, smiling, and speech are among the impacts you could face. Your overall health is dependent on keeping your teeth, bone, and gum tissue healthy.
Treatment delay following tooth loss is risky. Prioritize your health today, beginning with your mouth.
Ask us about the dental implant treatment procedure. Schedule a consultation to discuss your missing teeth and tooth replacement options.
