You rely on your teeth to perform basic tasks like eating and speaking correctly, so when one goes missing, it can impact your daily quality of life. If you’ve asked your dentist about possible replacements, you may have noticed that dental implants are more of an investment upfront than alternatives like dental bridges or dentures. While you might feel tempted to pick a less expensive option, you might regret your decision down the road. When it comes to your teeth, you get what you pay for, and cheaper isn’t always better.
If you’re looking to rebuild your grin, continue reading to learn 3 reasons that dental implants are worth the cost!
Reason #1: Preserve Your Facial Structure
Did you know that when you lose a tooth your body begins to reabsorb some of your jawbone mass that’s no longer needed to support it? In time, this deterioration can alter the shape of your jaw and change the structure of your face. Unfortunately, this leads to sunken cheeks and sagging skin.
Dental implants, meanwhile, keep your jaw strong and healthy to prevent erosion. They’re the only restoration that involves placing a titanium rod directly into the empty socket left behind. This fuses with your bone in a process called osseointegration and then acts like a root. Every time you bite down or chew, it stimulates your jaw so it doesn’t collapse.
Reason #2: Natural Look and Feel
In addition to functioning like your natural teeth, dental implants also look like them. They’re capped with a dental crown made of a durable, lifelike material like porcelain or composite resin. These substances reflect light in a way that closely resembles enamel and can be color-matched to your remaining pearly whites so no one can tell the difference. That means of all the options, these artificial teeth look and feel the most like the ones you were born with.
Reason #3: Long-Lasting
Dental implants have been known to last 30+ years with the right care, much longer than their counterparts. For example, dental bridges typically need to be replaced within 5 to 15 years and dentures may not last longer than 10 years. That means dental implants can save you money in the long run because you’ll avoid costly relining and repairs. Plus, caring for them is simple. All that’s required is brushing and flossing twice daily and visiting your dentist every 6 months for a checkup.
Understanding the true value of dental implants can help you make a well-informed decision to restore your smile!
About the Author
Dr. Ray Voller has 40+ years of experience helping families build happy, healthy smiles. He earned his dental doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine and has since completed all seven levels of continuing education offered by the prestigious Pankey Institute. His state-of-the-art facility offers a full range of services all under one roof, including dental implants. If you’re interested in replacing one or more teeth and would like a consultation, you’re welcome to request an appointment on the website or by calling (724) 543-4948.