Learning About The World Of Dentistry

The wealth of treatment options for those suffering from tooth loss has greatly expanded in recent decades. While that is undeniably a good thing, it has left many people in the dark about the merits of various choices. If your dentist has recently recommended dental implants, and you would like to learn how this treatment compares to more traditional methods, read on. This article will explore the advantages of implants compared to dentures and bridges.

Implants Vs Dentures

Dentures have long been the most common choice for those looking to replace a full set of teeth. They are still prized largely thanks to their low price point. Yet while implants are undeniably more expensive, they offer a number of key benefits, the most immediate being their ease of stability and retention. In other words, implants do not rely on external factors such as adhesives and clasps in order to remain in place. They are basically as fixed and reliable as real teeth.

This same structural advantage means that implants are also more comfortable and less conspicuous. Unlike dentures, there is no "learning curve" during which the wearer has to learn to adapt to the new prosthesis. Implants are free from almost all of the discomfort associated with dentures. Such discomfort commonly arises from poor placement, changes in fit, and the tendency to come loose while eating. Finally, implants do not run the same risk of damage as do dentures, which can easily become broken should they fall.

Implants Vs Bridges

Bridges are a common treatment option when dealing with individual teeth that are missing, yet where the adjacent teeth--often referred to as the abutment teeth--are still present and healthy. The idea is that those abutment teeth are used to anchor a prosthetic "bridge," which sits where the missing tooth would have been. Unfortunately, in order to make this system work, those abutment teeth must be altered by removing a portion of the tooth.

Bridges come with other drawbacks as well. For instance, because they connect multiple teeth together, they make flossing those areas of the mouth nearly impossible. There is also the risk that the bridge will come loose with time and be accidentally swallowed.

Implants are free from virtually all of these negative aspects. They are easy to clean, firmly attached to the jaw, and do not require that any modifications be made to other nearby teeth. For these reasons, many patients and dentist see implants as a positive alternative to bridges. For more information, contact companies like Rose City Dental Care.