Patients in Port Credit look at long-term value of dental implants

A lost tooth has a big impact on your life. It changes the way you are perceived by others and the way you see yourself every time you look in the mirror. It changes your diet and it changes your oral health. You have several options for replacement of that missing tooth to get you looking and feeling like “you” again. In this economy where everyone’s budget is under stress, it is natural to gravitate to the one with the lowest price tag, but that isn’t always the best value in the long term. Dr. Rina Kotecha shares this information to help patients throughout Port Credit area look at value of dental implants.

What are your options?

It’s important to replace a missing tooth. In addition to affecting your appearance and self-image, a gap allows other teeth to shift out of place. That causes premature wear and can lead to jaw strain, TMJ disorders, and headaches. The nooks and crannies in crooked teeth also contribute to gum disease and tooth decay.

Traditionally, up to three consecutive missing teeth were restored with a fixed bridge. This is a sound dental solution. However, it requires reducing (grinding down) otherwise healthy teeth on either side of the gap to anchor the bridge in place. It also places stress on those teeth each time you chew. A bridge typically lasts about ten years; maybe a little longer with very good oral hygiene.

A partial denture is also an option. This is a removable prosthetic that holds one or several artificial teeth. Worn regularly, it will help to keep other teeth from shifting, but some patients have difficulty adapting to the fit, feel, function, and special care of a denture. Dentures are made primarily of acrylic materials, so they also have a limited life span.

A dental implant is the closest substitute for a natural tooth that modern dentistry has to offer.

Why implants make sense

Teeth do more than grind food and look fabulous when you smile. Each time you bite down the roots provide vital stimulation that maintains bone density in your face. Without tooth roots jawbone deteriorates leading to a sunken facial appearance.

A dental implant is a tiny screw made of a strong, biocompatible material. In a brief surgical procedure, it is precisely positioned into the jaw bone, replicating the root of the missing tooth. The implant is topped with a beautiful porcelain crown to complete your smile.

A dental implant looks, feels, and chews like a real tooth. It also provides similar stimulation to keep bone tissue strong and healthy. But there’s even more value to a dental implant. If you care for it just like your other teeth – brush after eating, floss before bedtime, and visit Dr. Rina at least twice a year – it will likely last the rest of your life!

Dr. Rina believes in providing the information patients need to make informed decisions for their healthcare dollars. Call Dentistry on 10 today at (905) 455-9262 to learn more about dental implants.

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