How Dental Implants Protect Teeth Better Than Alternative Options

Many people are choosing dental implants for replacing missing or bad teeth, and there are a lot of reasons for this. One common reason is for the durability they offer. Dental implants can last a lifetime, and they also look natural and work like normal teeth. These are some of the benefits they offer, but one of the key benefits is the way they protect other teeth in the mouth more than any of the alternative options.

Why Is This The Case?

One key highlight of dental implants is the way they are independent. They do not rely on other teeth for support, and this is a benefit because getting an implant will not harm any other teeth in your mouth. On the other hand, any of the alternative options you can choose to replace missing teeth will affect other teeth in your mouth.

How Do Other Options Affect The Teeth?

Here are some of the other options you could choose along with the effects they have on other teeth:

• Bridges – A bridge is a device that holds an artificial tooth. The downside to a bridge is that it must be attached to at least one other tooth in your mouth for it to stay in place. In many cases, bridges are attached to two teeth. When other teeth must be used for support, it can cause them to weaken.
• Partial dentures – Partial dentures can be used to replace multiple missing teeth, but they too can affect your other natural teeth. The primary way they affect other teeth is from the clasps they have on them. These clasps lock the dentures in place by rubbing against certain teeth in your mouth. Over time, this can lead to damage of these teeth and the surrounding gums. In addition, when dentures do not fit perfectly, they can cause sores to develop from rubbing against the gums.

A dental implant is not supported by anything except your jawbone. It is inserted into the jawbone, and the jawbone fuses to the implant. Once this process occurs, the dentist places a crown on the implant, and this becomes your tooth. Getting a dental implant can take months, but it is worthwhile for so many reasons.

If you are tired of having missing teeth in your mouth and would like to learn more about the benefits of dental implants, contact a dentist today to schedule an appointment.