If you have missing or damaged teeth, you may be considering several options for addressing the concern, including:
- Teeth implants (also known as “dental implants”)
- Tooth-supported bridges
- Partial bridges
San Antonio periodontist Doctor Kenneth R. Krueger recommends dental implants over other tooth-replacement options because of the significant advantages that they offer. Learn more about three of these benefits.
San Antonio Teeth Implants Prevent Bone Resorption
Partial dentures and tooth-supported bridges replace missing teeth with a crown or crowns resting on top of the gums, or that attach to adjacent teeth. However, these options don’t replace tooth roots.
Without a root, the bone in the area of a missing tooth may begin to deteriorate over time in a process called bone resorption. You may notice this in a person who is missing a tooth, and whose face appears collapsed, prematurely aged, or wrinkled around the mouth.
Teeth implants use a different approach. They provide new tooth roots, which helps stimulate bone growth. The crowns of the replacement teeth attach to these roots. As a result, implants grow and remain stronger than other options.
Teeth Implants Don’t Compromise Surrounding Teeth
Replacement with traditional tooth-supported bridges requires grinding down the adjacent teeth, allowing the dentist to cement the bridge in place. However, once the dentist takes this step, you can’t replace enamel of these adjacent teeth.
In addition, partial dentures have clasps that hook onto adjacent teeth, putting pressure on them as the partial rocks back and forth during normal eating. This effect can loosen the natural teeth. Both effects undermine the long-term health of the mouth.
Teeth implants anchor directly into the jawbone and don’t affect adjacent teeth. As a result, they don’t compromise any other aspect of the mouth.
Teeth Implants Can Feel More Natural
With dentures, in particular, patients often complain of slipping, sliding, gum irritation, problems chewing, and difficulty speaking. Dentures also require regular maintenance for proper care. Each of these detracts from the goal of treatment: having teeth that look, feel, and work as naturally as possible.
Teeth implants do not require this type of special care. You can eat the same food with implants that you can chew with your existing teeth. You also don’t have to worry about unwanted movement or affected speech. Implants anchor to bone – not to the gums – so they are more durable and not prone to shifting.
Whether you are considering different options for tooth replacements, or you want to switch from dentures to a better solution, KRK Implant Center can provide you with details about teeth implants. Contact our San Antonio offices at 210.826.3946 or online.