Why Dental Implants?

Implants are the Standard-of-Care for Tooth Replacement

Whether you are replacing a tooth that is already missing or needs to be extracted, or replacing an old defective bridge, dental implants offer the only viable option for long term success.

Why Dental Bridges are not Recommended:

The more you learn about dental bridges, the more you realize why they are no longer recommended:

Documented Success of Dental Implants:

Dental implants clearly offer the best replacement option in today’s dentistry.  Consider the following documented studies:
  • Implants are generally 96-98% successful for periods of up to 40+ years. The variations are a result of several factors, including the type of implant, age of the patient, health of the patient, and whether or not the implant is placed in a “compromised” site (e.g. very little bone)
  • Recent research indicates that replacing a missing tooth with an implant-supported crown provides benefits for the adjacent natural teeth.
  • Success rates for implants do not decrease over time. Compare this to the success rate for bridges, which decreases steadily after 10 years. In fact at 15 years one to three bridges typically fail.
  • If more than one tooth is missing, the bridge “span” is longer – and will have an even lower success rate.

Dental Implant Benefits

Regain Tooth’s Natural Feeling and Appearance:

By replacing the entire tooth, including the root, it is possible to replicate the function of natural teeth, with a strong, stable foundation that allows comfortable biting and chewing. In addition, nothing in the mouth looks or feels artificial.

Preserve Facial Harmony:

Implants preserve the integrity of facial structures. By preventing the bone resorption that would normally occur with the loss of teeth, the facial structures remain intact. This is particularly important when all of the teeth are missing, as the lower one-third of the face collapses if implants are not placed to preserve the bone.

Smile:

Your smile is improved when replacement teeth look more like natural teeth. Even when only one tooth is missing, long term aesthetics are usually much better with an implant-supported replacement tooth than with a traditional tooth-supported bridge. This is particularly important in the front of your mouth, where preventing a visible bone defect is critical for natural appearance.

Preserving Health of Adjacent Teeth:

With dental implants, adjacent teeth are not compromised to replace missing teeth. Tooth replacement with traditional tooth-supported bridges requires grinding down the teeth adjacent to the missing tooth/teeth, so that the bridge can be cemented onto them. This tooth structure can never be replaced and the long-term health of these teeth is compromised. Partial dentures have clasps that hook onto adjacent teeth, putting pressure on them as the partial rocks back and forth. Eventually these teeth can loosen and come out as a result of this pressure. Replacing missing teeth with implant supported crowns/bridges does not involve the adjacent natural teeth, so they are not compromised or damaged.

Better Quality of Life:

Overall quality of life is enhanced with replacement teeth that look, feel, and function like natural teeth. With implant supported replacement teeth, the appearance of the smile is more natural, and the teeth function more like natural teeth. The result is increased comfort and confidence when smiling, speaking, and eating. If dentures and partials are replaced with implant supported teeth, the overall enhancement in quality of life is even more significant, with an ability to eat all types of foods, elimination of messy adhesives, and improved speech, comfort and appearance.

Better Oral Hygiene:

It is much easier to care for an implant supported crown, which can be cleaned like a natural tooth. In comparison, a tooth-supported bridge requires the use of a floss threader for proper cleaning. It is also more convenient to clean a full set of implant supported replacement teeth than a traditional denture.

Improved Appearance:

Since implants preserve bone, preventing deterioration of the facial structures, appearance is improved. Collapse of the lower one-third of the face caused by complete tooth loss can be visually corrected and the remaining bone preserved. The appearance of wrinkles around the mouth caused by posterior bite collapse, or complete facial structure collapse is virtually eliminated.

Restored Self-Esteem & Renewed Self-Confidence:

Many of the people who now enjoy the benefits of implant supported replacement teeth state that their self esteem and self confidence have been restored as a result of improved appearance, function, comfort, and health.

Improved Ability to Eat and Taste Foods:

Wearing an upper denture can prevent someone from really tasting food, as the roof of the mouth is covered. With implant supported replacement teeth, it is not necessary to cover the roof of the mouth, so it is possible to enjoy the taste of foods.

Dental Implants Safety:

Dental implants are made of completely biologically compatible “bone-friendly” titanium material, that naturally heals and integrates with the surrounding tissues.  Because titanium is accepted so well by the human body, it is also used for orthopedic implants, such as hip and knee replacements.
Dental implants are very safe and predictable, and complications can be avoided when performed by a trained, skillful, and experienced oral surgeon using specialized instruments and techniques. Dr. Kazemi specializes in dental implant placement and has performed it successfully on thousands of patients.  Our office is designed and equipped for dental implant procedures, and the team assisting Dr. Kazemi is trained specifically for them.  Methodical, exacting, and detailed protocols are followed strictly to make sure every patient is safe and has a pleasant experience.
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