Implants vs. Other Treatment Options

According to the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, statistics show that 69% of adults ages 35 to 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth to an accident, gum disease, a failed root canal or tooth decay. Furthermore, by age 74 26% of adults have lost all of their permanent teeth.

Modern dentistry gives us several options to replace missing teeth and the most like a natural tooth solution is dental implants. Dental implants can be used to replace one, several or all of your missing teeth. Dental implants allow us to avoid filing down adjacent missing teeth like performed in a traditional bridge unit in order to restore one missing tooth. This alleviates stress on those adjacent teeth. Dental implants also allow us to secure a denture in place to help maintain bone health and avoid slipping, whistling and eliminate the need for glues and adhesives.

Dental Implants vs. Dentures

Dental Implants	Dentures
Preserve remaining jawbone and maintain facial structure (keeps you looking younger)	Decreasing jawbone quality can lead to further deterioration of facial features
Feel and function like natural teeth	Can feel fake and unnatural
Strong, stable and securely attached to the jaw. Extremely comfortable.	Can slip and move around and cause discomfort
No need for adhesives	Likely to require adhesives or creams
Helps restore natural chewing capacity	Restricted chewing, may have to avoid some foods
Long-lasting solution	May need to be remade or realigned
Easy care and cleaning, just like natural teeth	Must be regularly removed for cleaning
Can last a lifetime	Less expensive initially but often less effective and may need additional expenses in the future to maintain

Dental Implants vs. Traditional Crown and Bridge

Tooth Replacement Tech	Flipper	Dentures	Bridge	Implants
Longevity	1-3 years	5-7 years	7-10 years	Lifetime
Preservation of healthy adjacent teeth	yes	yes	no	yes
Transmission of force to:	adjacent teeth	adjacent teeth/gums	adjacent teeth	bone
Prevent bone loss & preserve facial appearance	no	no	no	yes
Requirement for periodic adjustments	yes	yes	yes	no
Accelerated loss of adjacent teeth	yes	yes	yes	no