When Are Dental Implants Necessary?
When you lose one or more teeth, your oral health may be at risk if you don’t replace what’s lost. Dental implants may be necessary to maintain your oral health. Keep reading to learn why.
If you have one or more missing teeth, you need dental restoration to maintain your jawbone, bite, oral and digestive health. At Russell Family Dentistry of Tomball, Texas, Dr. Louis Russell, Jr provides a range of dental restoration options to new and existing patients, including dentures and dental implants.
So, which dental restoration option is right for you? Dr. Russell and his team make sure you know the pros and cons of all your choices, and guide you in making the right selection for your long-term health and wellness needs.
Dentures have been used for centuries to restore function after lost or missing teeth. Today’s dentistry offers multiple types of dentures. At Russell Family Dentistry, we offer:
Dentures typically work well for most patients. Some patients report issues with sores forming on gums due to pressure from dentures, and slippage can be a concern with dentures, as well. Dr. Russell and his team can help you address any issues with your dentures, and ensure a comfortable and effective fit.
Dental implants are the gold standard option for replacing lost or missing teeth. Dr. Russell places an implanted post in your jawbone, where it can effectively anchor a crown or bridge. Because dental implants are anchored in your jaw similar to your natural teeth, they feel and function nearly identically.
Once your implant or implant is in place, you might not even know that it's there. You can eat any food you like, and Dr. Russell can match the color of your crown so perfectly with the rest of your smile, that the implant will be completely unnoticeable to an observer.
The high quality of materials used at Russell Family Dentistry for implants means that your results can last for many years of excellent function and comfort.
The choice between dentures and dental implants is ultimately up to you. Dr. Russell can help you evaluate the factors that may influence your decision.
For some patients, price makes a difference. Dental implants can be costly, although you benefit from long-term, naturally-feeling results. Dentures may need to be refitted periodically due to natural changes in your bite, while dental implants are permanent solutions for a lost or missing tooth or teeth.
While implants are typically safe and effective, you do run some slight risk of infection at installation, and implants can fail from 5-10% of the time. If you have concerns about potential complications, or if your jawbone isn’t healthy enough to support dental implants, dentures might be the best bet for you.
You’ll need to care for dental implants similarly to your existing teeth, brushing and flossing regularly. Dentures need more intensive daily maintenance, and shouldn’t be worn overnight, but soaked in specialized cleaning solutions. If you can’t care properly for your dentures, you risk spending unneeded money on replacement sets.
You may need multiple appointments to place your dental implants, so scheduling concerns may also be a relevant factor in your decision between dentures and implants.
Talk to Dr. Russell about all of the pros and cons surrounding your dental restoration choices. You have additional dental restoration options beyond dentures and dental implants, so no matter your health care needs, Dr. Russell can find a solution for you.
Schedule your initial consultation appointment at Russell Family Dentistry online now, or call today to book.
