As we covered in another blog, if you’re missing a tooth you aren’t doing your oral health any favors by leaving the gap. The question is how you should replace a missing tooth? You can have a bridge span the gap, anchored on each side with crowns. You can have a partial denture, particularly if you’re missing a few teeth, to fill the gap. Or you can have a dental implant replace the missing tooth.
At Implant Dentistry of Florida, we’re big fans of implants, as you could ascertain from our practice name. Why? Because implants are placed down in the hole left by the tooth root, and then your jawbone grows around the implant making it a part of your jaw, they behave basically like your regular teeth.
The advantages of dental implants
Dental implants are becoming more and more popular for our patients. Here are some of the reasons why:
- They’re convenient — Implants are just like your natural teeth, so you don’t need to worry about taking them in and out, as you would with dentures. And you don’t have to worry about eating certain chewy foods, as you would with a bridge.
- They’re comfortable — Because they become a part of your jaw, you won’t even feel your implants once in place.
- Improved oral health — Implants replace a single tooth individually. Unlike bridges, which require shaving off part of the tops of adjacent teeth to make room for the anchoring crowns, implants don’t affect neighboring teeth. Plus, implants keep your adjacent teeth from moving to fill the gap left if you don’t replace your missing tooth or teeth.
- They look great — People can’t tell you have an implant because the false tooth on top is made of dental porcelain and it looks just like your other teeth.
- They improve your speech — Dentures can slip and cause problems when speaking. And missing teeth can cause whistling issues when pronouncing certain sounds.
- Eat like normal — With bridges and dentures, patients have to be mindful of what they eat. Things like corn on the cob are usually a no-no. Not so with implants — patients can eat whatever they want.
- Improved self-image — Missing teeth, especially in the front, can make a person avoid smiling or can make them try and keep their lips down when talking. Implants give you back your smile.
- They last — With proper care many implants can last for the rest of your life. They are by far the most durable tooth replacement option.
Are you missing a tooth or a couple of teeth? Contact us at Implant Dentistry of Florida, (321) 372-7700 and let’s talk about replacing the tooth or teeth with dental implants.