Why Dental Implants Are the Healthiest Restoration Choice

A single dental implant can replace a tooth you lost because of decay, disease, or an injury. While other restorations serve the same purpose, none of them can compete with the benefits provided by dental implants. Of course, some circumstances prevent you from being able to get dental implants. But when you are a good candidate, dental implants are the best option. 

1st American Dental in Tempe, Arizona, proudly offers dental implants as a choice for tooth restoration. When you lose a tooth, it’s essential to contact Leon Brannon Reed, DDS, for an evaluation and treatment consultation right away. The longer you wait, the more bone loss can occur, so call the office today. 

Dental implants are superior to other restoration options because they maintain your oral health, avoiding some of the possible complications of opting for a denture or bridge. 

A stronger jawbone

One of the reasons we encourage patients to ask about dental implants shortly after tooth loss is because of the risk of jawbone resorption. 

Beyond anchoring a tooth, the root of a tooth reinforces your jawbone. When there’s no longer a tooth root supporting a section of the jawbone, the cells are removed faster than they’re replaced. That results in a weaker and more fragile jawbone. 

A dental implant is a titanium device that replaces the root of the original tooth while supporting a custom restoration. It gives your jawbone the support it needs to prevent bone resorption, meaning better oral health. 

No damage to nearby teeth 

A dental bridge is an alternative you can choose to replace a tooth. But it doesn’t prevent bone resorption because it relies on other teeth adjacent to the gap to support it. Furthermore, your adjacent teeth need to be filed down to fit the bridge. 

That process makes those teeth more susceptible to future tooth pain, complications, and damage. Alternatively, dental implants don’t modify your adjacent teeth.

Maintaining your bite

You might think you don’t need to replace your tooth at all, especially if the missing tooth is toward the back of your mouth where the gap isn’t so visible. While that may seem like the most cost-effective option at first, it can lead to dental health complications in the future. 

When you have a gap between your teeth because of a missing tooth, the others eventually shift to fill the empty space. When they shift, your teeth are no longer in alignment. 

A misaligned bite can cause multiple complications ranging from mild to severe. When your teeth shift around to fill a gap, you can experience:

• Decreased chewing ability
• Tooth damage and wear
• Increased gum disease risk
• Increased tooth decay risk

Furthermore, shifting teeth can make it difficult to maintain a hygienic and healthy smile. Fortunately, opting for a dental implant to replace the missing tooth prevents your teeth from shifting. 

No matter how you lost a tooth, a dental implant can prevent complications. Call 1st American Dental or schedule a visit online to see if you’re an optimal candidate.