Restoring Confidence with Dental Implants

Missing teeth are detrimental to a person’s long-term health and replacing them can dramatically improve a person’s confidence, smile and chewing ability. Dentures, fixed bridges and dental implants are the most common options for replacing missing teeth; however, they differ in longevity and comfort.
Dental implants have revolutionized dentistry by offering a much more stable and natural-looking replacement for missing teeth. They can be utilized for single or multiple missing teeth in a variety of different ways. For example, implant overdentures allow a person to comfortably bite into hard foods without the worry of the denture moving, trapping food or causing embarrassing clicking sounds.
A dental implant is a titanium post that simulates the root of a natural tooth and can support a crown, bridge or overdenture. (Titanium is used due to its compatibility with bone and oral tissues.) They are very durable and can last a lifetime when properly cared for with regular brushing, flossing and routine check-ups.
Because dental implants provide the same function as a natural tooth root, they are becoming the optimum treatment choice for many adults that have lost permanent teeth. The number of Americans with dental implants is estimated to be about three million and rising with a long term success rate of over 95%, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry. Recurrent decay, gum disease and other factors often doom fixed bridgework to early failure, causing a need for replacement every 7-15 years. Within 5-7 years, a 30% failure rate in teeth next to the fixed bridges or removable partial dentures has also been demonstrated, proving that dental implants are even the most cost effective treatment option in the long term for replacing missing teeth.
Don’t compromise your health and confidence due to missing teeth. Cape May Dental Associates welcomes new patients and is always happy to answer any questions about your dental health. Call (609)884-5335 or log on to www.capemaydental.com today!
By Chie Li Ee DMD, PA and Gina Pratta