Are you missing teeth due to advanced tooth decay or gum disease? Or maybe sports injury or auto accident cost you one of your permanent teeth? Dental implants are a good option for tooth replacement for adults of all ages, regardless of how you lost your missing teeth. For teenagers, implants can also be a possible means of replacing lost teeth once facial growth and development has been completed — usually around age 16 for girls, and age 18 for boys.
4 Reasons to Get Dental Implants
Dental implants offer many advantages over other traditional tooth replacement alternatives such as dentures and bridges. Here are four that Drs. John and Sara Gotwalt of Gotwalt Distinguished Family Care in Lititz, PA wants to make you aware of.
1. Dental Implants Function Like Natural Teeth
Dental implants are designed to look, feel, fit and function just like they were your natural healthy teeth. Implants are often so comfortable, many patients report forgetting they are even there once the implant site is completely healed. You will be able to brush and floss them just like you do your own natural teeth without needing to remove them for cleaning like you do with dentures. Implants also help you retain your natural face shape and smile.
2. Dental Implants Last A Lifetime
Dental implants are built to last many decades if properly cared for. The less expensive options such as dental bridges and dentures often need to be replaced every 5 to 10 years due to wear and tear. Therefore, while implants may cost more up front, you will not need to pay to replace them as often. This means you’ll spend less money overall as well as less time in the dentist’s office.
3. Implants Are Secure In Your Mouth
Dental implants are embedded directly into the bone tissue of your jaw where the “root” of the implant will bond to the jawbone. This means you don’t need to worry that they will slip or click when you talk, eat or laugh like dentures often do. Most patients also report that their speech is more natural with dental implants. With dental implants, you’ll be able to smile, talk, laugh and eat with confidence again.
4. Implants Help Preserve and Protect Your Jawbone
Implants preserve jawbone tissue and protect your healthy teeth and the stability of your bite. Allowing spaces in your mouth to stand empty after losing one or more teeth can lead to jawbone deterioration, shifting teeth and an unstable bite.
Dental implants are the one tooth replacement option that prevents these issues by stimulating new bone growth due to the “root” of the implant bonding with the jawbone. This prevents further bone loss. Dentists recommend having dental implants installed as soon as possible after losing a tooth to prevent bone loss from progressing at the site.
Additionally, dental implants do not require adjacent teeth to be ground down for bridges to be anchored or partial dentures to be attached. The only tooth affected with implants is the missing (or damaged) one being replaced.
Dental Implants in Lititz, PA
If you have lost teeth for any reason and are interested in finding out if dental implants can help restore your teeth, Drs. John and Sara Gotwalt and their team at Gotwalt Family Care in Lititz, PA are ready to help. Please call us at 717-220-4651 or schedule a consultation online today!