Dental implants are celebrated for their longevity and aesthetics. Therefore, if you are unhappy with your smile for any reason, you might be thinking about getting them! But is it truly advisable to swap out healthy teeth for these artificial replacements? This post explores the key differences between dental implants and natural teeth, examines potential motivations for tooth replacement, and aims to help you make balanced decisions about treatment.
Dental Implants vs. Natural Teeth
Dental implants offer several benefits, including strength, beauty, high functionality, and remarkable durability. They are designed to look and function like real teeth and can last for decades with proper care.
However, as wonderful as they are, they do not quite measure up to their natural counterparts. In fact, healthy natural teeth are superior to implants in several important ways:
- They have a greater bite force than implants.
- Natural teeth are connected to the jaw via a periodontal ligament, which allows for small movements and force absorption. In contrast, implants are embedded directly in the jawbone.
- Natural teeth are easy to whiten, whereas dental implant crowns, bridges, and dentures do not respond to teeth whitening procedures.
- Often, maintaining natural teeth is more cost-effective than replacing them with dental implants.
Reasons for Considering Replacement
Clearly, it is not advisable to replace healthy natural teeth with dental implants. But what if your teeth are not healthy? You might be struggling with sensitivity, decay, worn-down teeth, or other issues that affect both your smile’s function and appearance.
Before determining that you need tooth replacement, talk to a qualified dental expert. Very often, restorative procedures, such as crowns and fillings, can make even badly damaged teeth look and feel almost like they are brand-new.
Valid Reasons for Extraction
Of course, there are some situations in which it is best to extract the natural teeth and move forward with dental implants. This might be true of you if:
- Your natural teeth are damaged beyond repair.
- Advanced gum disease has caused your teeth to become loose.
- You only have a few natural teeth left, and removing them would open the way for a full implant denture.
Without question, natural teeth are the best! However, dental implants are a strong runner-up. Ask your care team about your options so you can make a well-informed decision about treatment.
Meet the Practice
Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Katy is home to four talented oral surgeons: Drs. Steve Koo, Thomas Weil, William Shepard, and Talal Beidas. They have many years of combined experience, and they are always ready to provide expert guidance to patients. If you are thinking about replacing your teeth with dental implants, our team would love to consult with you. Contact our office at 832-353-1100.