Four Reasons Why Dental Implants Are Worth The Cost

If you are missing a tooth, you have two basic options for replacement: a dental implant or a bridge. Since a dental implant costs a lot more than a bridge, you might be tempted to choose the less expensive option. However, for many patients, a dental implant is well worth the additional cost. Here's why:

Dental implants last longer.

Dental implants often last a lifetime. Many patients have had theirs for more than 40 years, and since implant technology has improved over the last 40 years, you are almost guaranteed that yours will last a very long time. Dental bridges, on the other hand, last about 5 - 15 years. When you compare the cost of one dental implant now to the cost of a bridge and replacement bridges over a lifetime, chances are, the implant is actually cheaper in the long run.

Dental implants help save your other teeth.

A bridge is fixed to the teeth on either side of your missing tooth. This puts wear and tear on these teeth. Eventually, you may need to have them removed and replaced. A dental implant, on the other hand, is supported solely by your jaw bone. Thus, the neighboring teeth stay healthier and are less likely to require replacement.

Dental implants look and feel completely natural.

While dentists do make bridges in tooth-colored porcelain or ceramic, they do not always look and feel completely natural. Someone who looks closely will often be able to see that the bridge is artificial. Plus, since it does not extend down into your jaw bone, it does not feel entirely natural when you chew on it. Dental implants, on the other hand, look exactly like natural teeth once you have healed from the surgery. They also feel like natural teeth when you chew with them.

Dental implants are easier to maintain.

Once the surgical site is healed, you care for your implants like you would any other tooth in your mouth. Regular brushing, flossing, and mouthwash use is all that's needed. With a bridge, you need to be careful about cleaning between the false tooth and the gum tissue it lies on top of. This requires a special flossing tool or water pick. You also have to be on the lookout for problems like decay in the neighboring teeth and loosening of the cement that holds the bridge in place.

If you can come up with the money for dental implants, they are almost always well worth the investment. For more info, contact a dentist such as Bruce Mathes DDS.

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