FAQs

The short answer is “yes.” In the vast majority of cases, dental implants are the best option for replacing a tooth or teeth that have been lost due to tooth decay, gum disease, or any other oral health issue, such as an physical injury.

As a rule, we recommend dental implants to all of our patients who qualify for the procedure. Because dental implants use an artificial tooth root to support a dental prosthesis, like a dental crown, they offer superior comfort, durability, and strength compared to partial removable dentures. In addition, they do not require the removal of enamel from healthy teeth, unlike a dental bridge.

As long as your jaw and gum tissue are healthy and strong enough for an implant after tooth loss, we highly recommend that you choose dental implants.

Still not sure if dental implants are the right choice, compared to bridges and dentures? Here are a few benefits of picking an implant over an alternative treatment, like a dental bridge or dentures.

1. Better oral hygiene – It’s easy to clean and brush your dental implant. You can treat it just like a natural tooth. Brush and floss properly, and you can easily keep your new tooth in great shape. In contrast, it can be harder to properly clean a dental bridge, due to the complex bridgework used to support a false tooth between two dental crowns.
2. Long lifespan – Dental implants can last for decades with proper placement and care. In contrast, dentures can be replaced as often as every 3-5 years.
3. Prevents bone loss and resorption – If you want to keep your jaw bone healthy after tooth loss, a dental implant is certainly the best choice. Implants prevent bone loss and resorption after you have lost a tooth, because the implant is placed directly into the gum and jaw. The pressure from chewing helps stimulate the jaw tissue below the implant, keeping it strong.
   In contrast, bridges and dentures do not do this. Over time, the bone below your denture or bridge will continue to deteriorate. This can lead to changes in your facial structure and appearance. Hence, to keep your jaw bone healthy, dental implants are the best choice.

For these 3 reasons – and quite a few more – dental implants have become the gold standard for smile restoration after tooth loss, and we highly recommend that you consider implants rather than a partial denture or a dental bridge if you are missing one or more teeth.

You can easily clean your dental implant in the same way you care for natural teeth; through brushing and flossing.

Occasionally, older patients express concern that their age may prevent them from having a dental implant. However, as long as you are in good health, there is no medical reason as to why you cannot have dental implant treatment.