If you’re seeking a reliable, beautiful way to rebuild one or more missing teeth, you might be a good candidate for dental implants. Unlike dentures and bridges, this treatment involves surgically placing restorations into your jaw, where they eventually fuse with the bone to look and function more like natural teeth.
This treatment also has an incredibly high success rate and can last 20 to 30+ years with proper care, leading some patients to wonder if they can replace their current, existing teeth with these durable restorations. Continue reading to learn more about why it isn’t usually recommended!
How do Dental Implants Work?
Dental implants include a support rod made from biocompatible materials, such as titanium or ceramic, that’s positioned directly into your jaw. Recovery can take 3 to 6 months, as your mouth must generate enough new bone to fuse with these posts in a process called osseointegration.
Once you’ve healed sufficiently, your provider will schedule another, more minor procedure to attach the abutments, or connector pieces, to your implants. These will eventually anchor your customized dental crown, bridge, or dentures, depending on how you’re restoring your smile. The results look and function more naturally and last longer than traditional dentures and bridges.
Are Dental Implants Stronger Than Natural Teeth?
Did you know that the jawbone starts to thin after tooth loss? The jawbone weakens without as many roots to stimulate new bone growth with each bite, which can change facial structure and lead to additional tooth loss. Dental implants are the only treatment that can prevent this because of their unique placement.
Many experts consider this the ideal way to rebuild smiles, but some patients wonder whether these restorations are stronger than natural teeth. But oral surgery always carries some risk of infection or other complications, so if it’s not medically necessary to remove and rebuild your teeth, it’s usually better to keep your smile as it is.
Can I Replace Viable Teeth with Dental Implants?
It’s physically possible for your provider to remove teeth and replace them with implants, but they’re unlikely to do so unless it’s in your best interests to do so. Their primary goal is to protect your dental condition and prevent potential problems. Most providers recommend extractions only as a last resort when a tooth is too damaged, diseased, or decayed to treat with standard solutions like tooth-colored fillings or crowns.
If you’ve already lost permanent teeth and want reliable replacements, you may be a good candidate for dental implants. Otherwise, your provider can typically offer solutions to repair and restore your natural teeth and protect your oral health.
About the Practice
Patients at Jacksonville Dental Specialists benefit from a team of experts dedicated to helping them build the happiest, healthiest versions of their smiles. Dr. Nawrocki, a prosthodontist, collaborates with Dr. Aguila and Dr. Pereira, periodontists, to offer various complex, cosmetic, and surgical procedures to meet your unique needs under one roof. Their extensive knowledge, combined with state-of-the-art equipment, delivers more comfortable, accurate, beautiful results meant to last. If you’re considering dental implants, you can request a consultation on the website or by calling (904) 683-4781.