In
this four-part article series, we speak to an experienced Colorado
Springs dentist about dental implants, what they are, how they work
and what patients can expect from getting them.
Welcome
to the second installment of this four-part article series in which
we speak to an experienced dental
implant dentist in
Colorado Springs about the virtues of this cutting-edge teeth
replacement technology. Previously, in Part 1, it was explained what
dental implants are, how it is they become non-removable once
surgically placed and what kind of cases they can be used to treat.
We
concluded Part 1 with the revelation that today’s dental implant
procedures have become far more cost effective than those of
yesteryear. Before we delve deeper into that issue, however, let’s
take a look at how dental implants compare with alternative teeth
replacement technologies.
Many
Colorado Springs residents and those across the country are
understandably concerned about cost. When it comes to replacing
missing teeth, what options can you provide patients with and which
are the cheapest?
Cosmetic
Dentist in Colorado Springs: “Understandably,
yes. We do offer patients a variety of tooth replacement options,
depending upon their specific case. Generally speaking, porcelain
bridges are the least costly. We do, however, recommend dental
implants to our patients because they typically work out to be more
cost effective
in the long run. Dental implants don’t usually require any
professional maintenance once placed and they are substantially more
comfortable. They can also last at least three times longer, while
bridges can require replacement after 12 years. So, while dental
implants may constitute a greater initial investment, they pay off in
the long run.”
What
are traditional bridges?
Colorado
Springs Dental Implant Dentist: “A
traditional bridge is really just a device – usually made of
porcelain and other composite materials – that is used to replace
one or more missing teeth. It makes use of the neighboring healthy
teeth for support and provides the patient with an aesthetic and
functional replacement crown/s.”
Do
you find them to be problematic?
Cosmetic
Dentist in Colorado Springs: “To
be fair, bridges can provide patients with perfectly good outcomes
and they do tend to cost less than dental implants, which is why many
people opt for them instead. The problem with traditional bridges is
that they only replace the crowns of the teeth and not the roots.
This can cause the underlying bone to atrophy over time, which
results in a drop in the bone level. Infection can then become a
problem because food and other debris can become trapped underneath
the bridge.
“Many
patients also complain about bridges not feeling natural. They are
then looking at the need to have their bridge replaced or repaired
after 10 or more years, so this is why many dentists simply recommend
that patients have problematic teeth replaced with dental implants
from the get go.”
Do
dental implants prevent this atrophy from happening?
Colorado
Springs Dental Implant Dentist: “Well
you see, what many people don’t know is that the roots of the teeth
are essential for channeling the eating forces into the supporting
bone tissue. This keeps it stimulated and healthy, much like muscles
are kept bulky and healthy through regular exercise. When the roots
of the teeth are lost and not replaced, the underlying bone atrophies
and wastes away over time, which is why people without teeth have
such small, fragile lower jaws. Dental
implants replace the roots
of the teeth and this helps to maintain jawbone health and bulk. This
is one of the most important reasons dental healthcare professionals
prefer dental implants to any other teeth replacement solution.”
Stay
Tuned for Part 3
Stay
tuned for the third installment of this four-part article series to
find out more about dental implants and what patients can expect from
getting missing and/or irreparably damaged teeth replaced.
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