What are the tooth replacement options and why are they used?
A healthy set of teeth does not only allow you to show off a wonderful grin, but it also contributes to your entire health. The lack of teeth can make everyday actions like chewing and speaking considerably more difficult.
When tooth loss occurs, due to any reason -as gum disease or physical injury or diseases such as diabetes or arthritis- tooth has to be replaced. There are many replacing methods, such as dental implants, dentures, and bridges.
What’s the difference between tooth replacement methods?
- Bridges: A bridge is a fixed dental treatment that is used to restore one or more lost teeth by permanently attaching an artificial tooth to surrounding teeth, by that, filling the gap between them.
- Dentures: A denture is a removable replacement for missing teeth and surrounding tissues, it consists of replacement teeth connected to a gum-colored plastic foundation that is usually joined by a metal framework that maintains the denture in place in the mouth.
A dental implant: is an artificial titanium-based replacement for your tooth’s root, when once inserted in your jaw, and holds the artificial tooth in place (crown). It has numerous advantages.
Why are dental implants the treatment of choice over other methods?
Dental implants are frequently used as suitable replacements over dentures or bridges; as each one has a number of disadvantages.
Bridges, for example, do not last long as implants, and require putting crowns on healthy teeth to hold the bridge of prosthetic teeth, which is eventually harmful to the teeth.
Whereas dentures deteriorate and need to be replaced regularly over time, they also may become loose or make clacking noise and might not look as natural as original teeth. Dentures are also a fertile environment for developing gum disease as food can easily be trapped in it, so it has to be cleaned regularly.
What’s the benefit of dental implants?
Dental implants have several benefits, such as:
- Stabilizing the surrounding tooth
The patient never needs to be concerned about what they eat, the risk of losing a tooth while speaking, or remembering to put the denture back in after pulling it out. One of the primary reasons why implants are the fastest-growing dental prosthesis preferred by dental patients worldwide is their stability.
- It lasts for a lifetime
It’s bio-compatible, which means it’s not harmful and won’t be rejected by the body.
- Protecting bone and preventing bone loss
If no implant is placed during the first year following tooth loss, the bone region loses 25% of its volume, and this bone loss continues over time.
As dental implants replace both the root and tooth, the function of chewing and speaking return to normal and stimulate bone development.
- Dental implants protect the mouth and gums
Having a gap between teeth stimulates gum and mouth diseases, because of the growth of bacteria and food trapping. So; implants are considered protective for teeth.
In conclusion, although implants cost more than other methods and might need longer time to be prepared for the patient, dental implants are preferred over the other methods of tooth replacement methods, and recommended by most dentists for suitable cases
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