Why Dental Implants Are the Best Choice for Replacing Missing Teeth

Dentures have a centuries-old history of replacing lost teeth. As dental technology improved, partial plates and other innovations expanded the capabilities of dentures, but there has  always been one shortcoming with dentures as a tooth replacement system.  

Dentures provide you only with artificial crowns, replacing the visible part of the tooth. Because of this, there are compromises and differences between dentures and natural teeth. 

At New York Dental Health in New York City, we recommend dental implants as the best way to replace missing teeth. Implants replicate the entire tooth, crown and root, providing a more natural and permanent experience than dentures alone can provide. 

So, why are dental implants the best choice for replacing missing teeth? We’ve collected what we think are some of the reasons you’ll agree that implants are your preferred option. 

How implants work

As a technology, dental implants have undergone many refinements in the last decade, so they’re a better option than ever. Let’s examine the basics of dental implants first. 

The implant is the foundation of the tooth restoration system. A titanium screw is most often the root replica, though several variations make implants suitable for the widest range of patients. An interface called an abutment tops the implant screw, supporting the crown.  

Think of a single dental implant as a prosthetic tooth, since it closely resembles a natural tooth in structure. Implants, though, can be configured in non-standard arrangements, too, even as the supports for hybrid systems, securing dental plates. 

The benefits of dental implants

Since the presence of a tooth root replacement is the most substantial difference between implants and dentures, it follows that the artificial root is the source of many implant benefits. These benefits include: 

Continued bone interaction

Your natural teeth and the bones of your jaw have a natural interaction that dentures can’t provide. Without the stimulation of tooth roots, jawbone tissue erodes, changing the shape of your gums and the resulting fit of your dentures. Implants return this bone stimulation so you don’t lose jawbone mass.

Long-lasting results

A 22-year study evaluating the lifespan of dental implants showed that over 98% of more than  10,000 implants survived at least five years after the procedure, with 94% remaining after 15 years. Denture bridges, by comparison, typically last 5-15 years. 

Natural and stable

Implant-supported crowns act in much the same way as natural teeth when you eat and speak. Denture plates have a tendency to slip or shift, often in embarrassing moments. An implant also helps to support adjacent natural teeth, preventing them from moving within the jaw, changing the shape of your bite. 

Learn more about the many benefits of dental implants in consultation with the dentists at the nearest of seven locations of New York Dental Health. Call or click to book your appointment today.