Helpful Information on Dental Implants in Denver vs. Alternatives
Many people find themselves in a situation where they need to replace a tooth. Whether the tooth was lost due to trauma, fracture, or cavities, dental implants can be a great treatment for many people. Back in the old days, the options were limited to bridges or dentures, but today, implants are the most popular option to replace a missing tooth.
Comparing Dental Implants to Bridges
A bridge involves placing crowns on the teeth next to space where the missing tooth was and connecting the two in the middle with a false tooth. This is an esthetic option in certain cases where an implant cannot be used, but it is not without drawbacks. An implant, on the other hand, can fill a space without needing to remove any healthy tooth structure of the neighboring teeth.
When it comes to replacing missing teeth, it’s hard to find another dental procedure that’s as effective as dental implants. They are extremely secure once in place. Dental implants are made from titanium, a very strong corrosion-resistant metal. Implants are often similar in cost to bridges but their long-term value can’t be topped. Dental implants are the next best thing to real teeth. They can even be made to closely match the comfort, function, and even the appearance of real teeth, and they can’t get a cavity. Suffice it to say that when you choose dental implants, you get more value for your money in terms of oral health and quality of life.
Dental implants mimic the root of the missing tooth. In many cases, the implant placement procedure is completed in a single visit. There are no nerves in bone, so post-operative soreness is usually relatively mild. After the implant is given sufficient time to heal and integrate into the bone, an abutment and crown are fabricated in a lab to make it look like the missing tooth. The whole process is slower than placing a bridge but is worth it in the long term. It’s the choice of the majority of our patients hoping to replace a tooth these days.
Dental Implants for Multiple Teeth
Implants can also be used when replacing multiple teeth. Sometimes, a bridge can be used in conjunction with implants to replace larger spaces of missing teeth. Dentures are another option to replace multiple teeth, but they are often unstable due to a lack of support. Implants may be placed under the denture to help anchor the denture in place and to greatly improve chewing function. This can have a huge impact on the quality of life.
There are times when any of these procedures would be the best choice, and each of them has its pros and cons. An experienced dentist in Denver, CO, such as one of the dentists at Cody Dental Group, will review all your options and help you make the decision that is best for your case.