Many dentists consider dental implants to be the ideal way to replace missing teeth because they’re the only restoration that’s embedded directly into your jawbone. The titanium rods function like roots for stability while stimulating your jaw to keep it active and healthy.
These prosthetics offer a host of unique benefits that may lead you to question whether they’re better for you than your natural teeth. In fact, it’s not uncommon for individuals to ponder the possibility of replacing them with dental implants to take advantage of the perks they provide. Continue reading to discover more about why it’s usually preferable to keep the teeth you were born with!
Why Do Some People Want to Replace Their Healthy Teeth?
Most dentists make every effort to treat and protect your pearly whites rather than extract them because it’s better for your oral health. For example, if you have a decaying tooth, root canal therapy can often repair any harm done while restoring its functionality. This both addresses the problem and maintains your natural grin.
However, some patients have been told they need dental implants without being offered any other possible procedures that could help. In other instances, people want prosthetics for cosmetic purposes. If you have a misshapen, overly stained, chipped, or cracked tooth, it’s tempting to want to remove it and replace it instead of trying to mend the damage.
Are Dental Implants Better Than Natural Teeth?
Dental implants are incredibly durable, but they’re not invincible. The titanium pole that’s placed in your jawbone can potentially last a lifetime, but it’s capped with a porcelain crown that isn’t as strong as your teeth. It’s coated with a glaze to resist chipping and staining, but if you bite into something overly hard or crunchy, you could break or fracture it.
Furthermore, these artificial teeth involve surgery, which comes with the risk of developing certain complications. Your mouth is full of bacteria that can penetrate the incision site and cause an infection that leads to implant failure. That means your dentist could be putting your oral well-being at risk by replacing a still-viable tooth this way.
When Are Dental Implants Recommended?
Sometimes, when a tooth is too injured to be fixed, extraction is necessary so that disease and decay can’t spread to your remaining teeth, gums, or jawbone. Also, it’s possible to lose adult teeth due to gum disease, cavities, or physical trauma. Regardless of the underlying cause, leaving a gap in your grin can be bad for your dental well-being.
Without a root in place to stimulate new bone growth every time you bite down, your jaw begins to atrophy. It can eventually become too weak and frail to continue to serve as a firm foundation for your pearly whites. Dental implants prevent this process because the metal rod that’s placed in your jaw activates it whenever you chew.
If you’re so frustrated by imperfections that you’ve considered replacing healthy teeth with dental implants, contact your dentist today. They can discuss other cosmetic and restorative services that are better suited to help you achieve the desired results!
About the Author
Dr. Aarati Kalluri has more than 20 years of experience helping people of all ages build and maintain happy, healthy smiles. She first studied dentistry in India, where she earned her Bachelor of Dental Surgery and Master’s Degree in Prosthodontics at King George’s Medical University. She later graduated with her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of California in San Francisco. Now, she utilizes state-of-the-art technology, like X-Guide implant placement, to enhance patient comfort while increasing the accuracy of treatment results. If you’re hoping to enhance your smile and aren’t sure where to start, she’s happy to help! You can request an appointment on the website or call (503) 352-5116.