It is a well-accepted fact that suffering from tooth loss can impact your general health as well as the overall quality of your life. Not only does it affect how you look, but an empty tooth socket also puts your gum health at high risk for infection. Thanks to cosmetic and restorative dentistry advancements, people now have plenty of tooth replacement options. Dental implants are usually the first choice people wish to opt for. This is because it serves as a long-lasting solution and does not require frequent replacements. Did you know there are alternatives to dental implants that can serve you just as well? Anoka Dental offers you some of the finest alternatives to dental implants that can help reinstate the functions of your teeth and allow you to lead a normal and healthy life.
But first things first. Why would you need an alternative to dental implants?
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Why You Would Need Alternatives to Dental Implants
When people lose a permanent tooth for any reason, such as an accident, severe tooth decay, or just old age, one of the first conversations they have with their dentist is about a dental implant. While dental implants are an excellent solution for replacing missing teeth, they may not be for everyone.
Dental implants are definitely considered the superior tooth replacement option in dentistry. Because of their longevity, people wish to get an implant installation to solve their missing tooth problem once and for all.
But certain groups of patients do not make good candidates for the implant procedure. Let’s see who these people are and why they might not be suitable for dental implant surgery.
People with Untreated Gum Disease
People who suffer from periodontitis, gingivitis, or any other form of gum disease are unsuitable candidates for dental implants.
Periodontal diseases are highly effective at destroying the soft tissue surrounding your teeth and the bone mass beneath your gums. Unless you have had treatment for your gum disease, you may need an alternative to dental implants.
People Suffering from Bruxism
People who suffer from the habit of grinding and clenching their teeth cannot get dental implants. While your natural teeth allow you to carry on grinding and clenching in full force, implants are a little different. Putting too much pressure on them may cause damage or cracks in your implants.
People With Bad Oral Health
It’s quite simple. If you cannot take care of your oral health when you have natural teeth, you will certainly not get better at it after getting dental implants. Patients not committed to improving their oral health are not good candidates for the dental implant procedure, as bad oral health can lead to implant failure.
People With Poor Health
People who suffer from overall health problems cannot be considered candidates for dental implant surgery because some medications and health conditions do not allow proper healing and recovery.
Alternatives to Dental Implants
People belonging to the aforementioned groups can opt for alternatives to dental implants that can prove just as successful and helpful.
Let’s look at a few of the finest alternatives to dental implants.
Partial Dentures
Partial dentures are great for people who wish to replace a missing tooth or several missing teeth in their upper or lower jaw. Made from a gum-colored base, partial dentures contain replacement teeth and attach to your existing teeth. It is crucial to make sure that the dentures fit in your mouth correctly and snugly in order to ensure proper functioning.
Complete Dentures
If you have lost entire rows of teeth in your upper or lower jaw, then complete dentures are the answer. It allows the patient to resume all oral cavity functions and eat, chew, and speak just as before. They also help in restoring your smile and confidence.
Classic Dental Bridge
Dental bridges are considered the best alternative to dental implants and are an excellent option for people who are missing more than one tooth. A replacement tooth, also known as a pontic, is connected to two crowns on either side to form a bridge. The crowns are then attached to your existing teeth, with the replacement teeth filling in the gap of missing teeth in between the crowns.
Dental bridges have a natural look and feel, making them a popular choice among patients. They cost less than an implant and have a much higher success rate. The treatment and recovery time is also much shorter for dental bridges than for implants.
Maryland Dental Bridge
A Maryland dental bridge is created by attaching tiny wings on either side of the replacement teeth. These wings are fixed to the natural teeth that are neighbors to the missing gap. The wings are attached to the neighboring teeth using a strong adhesive that doesn’t allow them to budge. A significant advantage of the Maryland dental bridge is that no anesthetic is required before installation.
Tooth Flippers
Tooth flippers are also sometimes known as temporary partial dentures. The flipper attaches itself to the sides of your natural teeth.
It relies on the suction provided by the roof of your mouth, preventing the surrounding teeth from shifting around and overcrowding. They are easy to wear and quite affordable, but they should not be considered a permanent solution for tooth replacement.
Find the Best Alternatives to Dental Implants at Anoka Dental
Anoka Dental has been the top-rated dental clinic for over thirty-five years only because of its exceptional service and quality professional care. Our dental team aims to make you feel comfortable and satisfied upon every visit by providing you with the best options for your oral health.
Our dentists, Dr. Rich Capp and Dr. Lee DeKrey are highly specialized in family dentistry and will make sure that all of your visits are pleasant and leave you confident about the decisions made for your long-lasting smile.
You can visit Anoka Dental at 12 Bridge Square, #106, Anoka, MN 53303. Please request an appointment by filling the contact form or by calling us at (763) 421-4002.
