Like 178 million other people in the United States, you’re missing a tooth and want to learn what you can about your replacement options. If you’re wondering why dental implants are so popular — nearly five million dental implants are placed each year in the US (and this number is growing) — we review some of the many benefits here.
While only you can decide whether replacing your missing tooth with a dental implant is worth it, the team here at McLean Aura Dentistry, under the expert guidance of Dr. Chang Yi and Dr. Negar Tehrani, covers a few points you should plug into your decision.
One of the primary reasons why our clients choose a dental implant over other tooth replacement options, such as a bridge, is that this option helps to prevent bone loss in your jaw.
When you lose a tooth, your body registers the loss and not only ceases to build new bone in the area, it reabsorbs the bone that once held your tooth in place. And this happens quickly — in just three months, about two-thirds of the hard and soft tissues that once stabilized your tooth undergo some reabsorption.
With a dental implant, we place a metal post into your jawbone that mimics a tooth's roots, halting the bone loss and encouraging new growth.
When your jaw fuses the implant into position with new bone, you benefit from superior stability in your replacement tooth. Once we affix the crown to the post, you have a tooth that is almost as stable as a natural tooth.
Another key benefit of dental implants is that they do their job well. Studies show that dental restorations with implants enjoy a success rate of about 95%.
While dental implants are more expensive than other tooth replacement options, they can still be the more economical decision.
For starters, since we’re replacing your tooth from the foundation up, dental implants can last for decades. You may have to replace the crown, but the metal post should go the distance.
The same can’t be said of other replacement options, like dentures and bridges, which are more prone to breaking and often require updating.
Also, since a dental implant can prevent further bone loss in your jaw, you’re protecting neighboring teeth from becoming loose and potentially falling out down the road. Spending a little more money on a dental implant now can save on future dental expenses.
As we mentioned, the choice is ultimately yours to make, and our goal is to provide you with the information you need to make the best decision for you.
If you have more questions about dental implants and tooth replacement, please contact our office in McLean, Virginia, at 703-429-0770.
