Due to tooth loss, you may already have dentures or a dental bridge. Such prosthetics, after all, can be helpful as substitute teeth. Perhaps, though, you’d like to replace existing restorations with dental implants. Well, your Skokie dentist is here to say that this option is possible! In fact, switching out dentures or bridges for implants has various benefits. If you’d like to know more, that’s easy enough. Read on, then, to learn how and why to replace previous prosthetics with dental implants.
How Implants Can Replace Earlier Restorations
If you currently use dentures or bridges, you can replace them with implants. That being said, doing so often involves several steps. Here’s how it works for each type of restoration:
Replacing Dentures with Implants
Assuming you’ve worn dentures for many years, you may have lost bone tissue near where your teeth are missing. Therefore, you’ll probably need a bone graft before implants are placed. Your new teeth, you see, will need a strong jawbone to support themselves.
After the bone grafting (if necessary) and recovery, the dentist can place implants into your jawbone. From there, the restorations can fuse with your jaw over time. The abutments and implant-supported dentures will then be fixed to the implants, completing the treatment.
Replacing Dental Bridges with Implants
Similar to dentures, a dental bridge won’t prevent bone loss in your jaw. So, you may require a bone graft before implant placement.
Following a (possible) bone graft, though, implant treatment is simple. First, the dentist will remove your regular dental bridge and make an implant-supported type. Then, they’ll affix the latter appliance to your mouth, where the missing teeth used to be.
What are Dental Implants’ Benefits?
Generally, implants have special perks that aren’t found in standard dentures or bridges. As such, you can expect the following benefits from placement surgery:
- Lifelike Smile – Thanks to their materials, implants both look and act like natural teeth. They blend with your smile so well, in fact, that others won’t notice you have them.
- A Younger Face – By filling the gaps in your smile, implants prevent and reverse facial collapse. As a result, they help your face look firm and youthful.
- Better Eating – Since implants fuse with your jaw, they restore much of your bite force. Consequently, they let you eat a wider range of foods than you could otherwise.
- Long-Lasting Results – The average implant has a lifespan of 15-20 years, while those well-cared for can last over 30 years.
Ultimately, you can (and should) replace existing restorations with dental implants. Talk to your dentist about treatment soon!
About the Practice
Weiss Dental Arts is based in Skokie, IL. Led by Drs. Brad Weiss and Ali Fulreader, our practice offers effective, quality care for all patients. To that end, our custom treatments span preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, as well as emergency dental care. Naturally, you can count on us for any and all tooth replacement concerns. For more information or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (847)-864-0188.