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Dr. Steven Lind, DMD
PH. 503-566-7000
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Advantages of Dental Implants
There are several notable advantages that dental implants provide that crowns, bridges, and dentures do not. These advantages are so great that most cosmetic dentists recommend implants over any of the other, more traditional treatments. As long as you have sufficient healthy jawbone structure surrounding the missing tooth, you are most likely an ideal candidate for implants. Here are a few of their many advantages:
- Implants vs. dentures — Dentures can be clumsy, cause pain, and often need replacing. Implants are permanent and require the same care and maintenance that natural teeth do. Furthermore, dentures do nothing to preserve the health of your existing jawbone structure. Implants help maintain your healthy jawbone, preventing tooth shifting and tooth loss.
- Implants vs. bridges — A typical dental bridge requires the shaving down of adjacent healthy teeth. Implants do not require any preparation of adjacent teeth. Bridges also do little to preserve surrounding jawbone tissue, which will eventually lead to further dental complications. Nearly all bridges will need replacement eventually. This requires a minimum of two crown replacements and multiple dental visits. While the initial cost of implants may seem high, you will be better off choosing implants to avoid the high costs of crown replacement.
- Bridges also complicate the normal brushing and flossing routine. Bridges require a “threader” be used when flossing. Since the bridge itself prevents floss from reaching where it needs to go, the floss must be threaded underneath the bridge in order to floss around the gum line. Implants can be cared for just like a natural tooth, with the added advantage of not being susceptible to decay.
A consultation with a qualified, experienced cosmetic dentist will be necessary to determine if dental implants are right for you. Implants are often done in conjunction with other treatments, which may include bridges if multiple teeth are missing.
You are strongly encouraged to visit a qualified cosmetic dentist as soon as possible if you are missing one or more teeth. Your odds of preventing further dental complications are greatly improved if you seek prompt treatment. If you live in the Portland area, please contact The Art of Smile Making today to arrange a consultation.
