Dental Implants: Why They're Your Best Choice for Replacing Missing Teeth

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, you’ve got no shortage of options. Dental bridges, full dentures, partial dentures, and dental implants are just some of your options. While they all replace a missing tooth (or teeth), they each have specific advantages.

Below, our team of providers at Smile Structure Dentistry & Braces in San Antonio and Helotes, Texas, zeros in on the benefits of dental implants. Here are eight reasons why they’re your best choice for replacing missing teeth.

1. Dental implants look and feel natural

Dental implants mimic the natural look and feel of your original teeth. The implant is anchored securely in your jawbone, and provides a stable foundation for the replacement tooth. This leads to a seamless integration with your existing teeth, so you can smile, talk, and eat with confidence.

2. Dental implants provide long-term durability

Unlike some traditional tooth replacement options, dental implants provide exceptional durability. With proper care and maintenance, implants can last a lifetime. The titanium post, which fuses with your jawbone in a process called osseointegration, creates a sturdy and permanent support for your prosthetic tooth. 

While the titanium post is permanent, you may need to replace the crown (the top, visible portion of your implant) if it becomes damaged. That being said, as many as 80% of crowns can last 20 years before needing to be repaired or replaced.

3. Replace as many teeth as you need

Dental implant treatment plans can be customized to meet your needs, whether you're missing a single tooth, three teeth, or a full arch. 

If you need to replace a full arch, the Smile Structure Dentistry & Braces team may suggest All-on-4® dental implants. All-on-4 implants 一 where four implant posts support the entire arch of teeth 一 combine the coverage of dentures with the stability of implants.  

4. Avoid a sunken appearance with jaw bone preservation

Normally, your the roots of your teeth stimulate your jawbone to keep growing, but when you lose a tooth, the underlying jawbone may begin to deteriorate (atrophy) over time due to lack of stimulation. Dental implants address this concern by stimulating the jawbone just like natural teeth. This not only preserves bone density but also prevents the sunken appearance that can occur with other tooth replacement methods.

5. Enjoy the comfort and convenience of implants

Dental implants eliminate the discomfort and hassle associated with removable dentures. Once in place, implants become a natural part of your mouth so there’s no need to fuss with messy denture glue or worry about soaking your dentures each night. Because they won’t slip, you can eat confidently in public without fear of sliding dentures.

6. Improve your oral health

Unlike dental bridges, which may require adjacent teeth to be altered, dental implants don’t compromise the integrity of your surrounding teeth. This preservation of natural tooth structure contributes to better long-term oral health. 

Additionally, flossing under a dental bridge is notoriously tricky, but dental implants provide easier access between teeth. This facilitates improved oral hygiene and reduces the risk of gum disease and decay.

7. Eat the foods you want

When you have dentures, some foods are harder to eat than others. Steak, crusty bread, and fibrous vegetables tend to top this list. Dental implants don’t pose the same issues since they can’t slide out of place, so you don’t have to worry about difficulty or embarrassment when eating these foods. 

8. Support your mental wellness 

Dental implants restore the appearance and functionality of your mouth, but they also impact your mental health. If you’re self-conscious (or even depressed) about missing teeth, dental implants can play a big role in boosting your mental wellness.

Are dental implants right for you? 

Before you can get started with dental implants, you need to make sure that they’re the right solution for you, and that process starts with a consultation. During your consultation, your Smile Structure Dentistry & Braces provider reviews the process for dental implants, reviews your oral and overall health history, and discusses the types of implants available. 

Call one of our four San Antonio, Texas, offices or our Helotes, Texas, office to get started. You can also click here to request your appointment.