What Are Implants?

A dental implant is a custom-made, permanent replacement for your tooth. Other solutions such as bridges and dentures are only temporary and can cause many additional health complications.

A better solution for tooth loss

Many people think of the implant as the “tooth part.” That’s not the case; the implant is a very advanced titanium piece permanently inserted by the oral surgeon into your jaw and designed to be adopted by your body and bone as part of yourself. A prosthodontist—a specialist in creating new teeth—actually creates the replacement that will be seen in your mouth.

The FDA first approved implants in 1982. The technology has a proven track record of over 40 years, with implants lasting in patients throughout their lives. Over the past few years, the technology has continued to improve, bringing better fit, quicker body acceptance, and overall a better solution.

Implants are clinically the only permanent solution to a missing tooth, and can be used in instances where you need one, two, or all teeth replaced. Two other options exist—bridges or dentures—but these options have problems that an implant does not.

Problems with other options for tooth replacement

BRIDGES
Require that your neighboring teeth be ground down to provide an anchor for the prosthetic. You must damage two healthy teeth to put in a bridge.
Don’t prevent bone loss. There is nothing that goes into the missing spot in your jaw. So over time, your jaw will deteriorate below the bridge. This can cause additional health complications for you down the road.
Aren’t permanent. Their typical lifespan is 10-14 years. Bridges normally fail due to decay under the bridge. This occurs because they are difficult to clean under which irritates the gums and can result in further bone loss.
The cost of a bridge is comparable to a dental implant when replacing a missing tooth.

DENTURES
Require all teeth be removed, including healthy teeth. Removal can be expensive.
Last an average of seven to ten years. Many people end up replacing one or more sets of dentures, spending money every time.
Drastically impacts ability to eat. Dentures provide only 10% of the function of regular teeth. Even well-fitting dentures have problems with adhesion. In many cases, denture wearers cannot eat such things as corn on the cob or steak. Denture wearers often need to wear messy denture adhesives to keep their dentures stable or from coming loose.
Can affect your diet. Not eating certain foods has been documented as actually impacting denture patients’ lifespan; average lifespan is 14 years less for denture wearers than other similar populations. Dentures cover the roof of the mouth often altering the taste of enjoyable foods. They can also cause gagging and altering of speech.
Don’t prevent bone loss. Nothing at all is anchored to your jawbone, causing it to deteriorate. This impacts facial appearance, and can also affect sinuses and other areas of your face—not just your mouth.

The only permanent solution

Only the implant is a permanent solution to your needs. And dental implants help preserve remaining jaw bone and gum tissue, as well as anchoring replacement teeth so you can chew and eat like you have natural teeth again.

Fresh Start is uniquely focused on helping you live life with passion and confidence. Dental implants will allow you to reengage and improve the quality of your life, while looking your best. Come in and see us—it’s free! Or call for your free consultation today.