Dental Implants
f you are missing a tooth, you know how much it can affect your daily life. Missing teeth can cause you to have difficulty eating and chewing properly and can alter your overall appearance. Luckily, dental technology has advanced, and your dentist is now able to offer a dental restoration that looks and functions like a natural tooth: dental implants.
The decision to replace missing teeth with dental implants is an excellent investment in your oral health and appearance. Dental implants are now the standard of care for missing teeth. Better than crown and bridge, they look, feel and function like natural teeth and can be more cost-effective over time. They also help prevent bone loss caused by missing tooth roots and do not require adjacent teeth to be ground down.
Two of the most commonly used dental implants are endosteal implants and all-on-4 implants. Endosteal implants are the most common dental plant option. They are comprised of a titanium metal rod that is installed into the jawbone and a supporting post that is specifically designed to secure either a dental crown or a dental bridge. All-on-4 implants are a revolutionary dental implant system in which an entire top or bottom denture is supported on just four implants. Each implant is strategically placed so that the replacement teeth remain steady and secure. The advantage of using four implants is that it helps promote faster patient recovery and reduces the likelihood of complications from possible implant failure.
Benefits of Dental Implants
- Improved appearance. Dental implants look and feel like your own teeth. And because they are designed to fuse with bone, they become permanent.
- Improved speech. With poor-fitting dentures, the teeth can slip within the mouth causing you to mumble or slur your words. Dental implants allow you to speak without the worry that teeth might slip.
- Improved comfort. Because they become part of you, implants eliminate the discomfort of removable dentures.
- Easier eating. Sliding dentures can make chewing difficult. Dental implants function like your own teeth, allowing you to eat your favorite foods with confidence and without pain.
- Improved self-esteem. Dental implants can give you back your smile and help you feel better about yourself.
- Improved oral health. Dental implants don’t require reducing other teeth, as a tooth-supported bridge does. Because nearby teeth are not altered to support the implant, more of your own teeth are left intact, improving long-term oral health. Individual implants also allow easier access between teeth, improving oral hygiene.
- Durability. Implants are very durable and will last many years. With good care, many implants last a lifetime.
- Convenience. Removable dentures are just that; removable. Dental implants eliminate the embarrassing inconvenience of removing dentures, as well as the need for messy adhesives to keep them in place.
If you’ve heard about dental implants, but you’re not sure if they’re the right choice for you, please at 519-883-8764. While many people are good candidates for implants, there may be another type of tooth replacement that would suit you better. We’ll be happy to arrange a consultation with Dr. Kunnekel to discuss your tooth replacement goals and decide if dental implants offer the best solution in your case.
