While the busy lifestyle of Glendale does not always allow for self-compassion, dental maintenance occasionally takes a backseat. However, the destruction it can wreak is paramount. Throughout the country, thousands of adults have lost one or more teeth to gum disease or decay, indicating a rampant epidemic reaching millions.
Missing teeth not only ruin your smile but also have implications on your overall well-being, self-confidence, and quality of life, leading to issues such as difficulty eating nutritional food or feeling shy in public. Permanent tooth replacement is the ideal solution to correcting long-term oral wellbeing and health. There are risks associated with delaying dental implants, bridges, or other oral treatments.
Simply Smiles at Arrowhead in Glendale is dedicated to helping patients correct their smiles through advanced treatments. Whether you are experiencing recent tooth loss or have been avoiding treatment, we are here for you with care and expertise, because doing something now can dramatically improve your life.
Permanent Teeth Replacement Options
When permanent teeth are to be replaced, a number of solutions exist, each appropriate to varying needs depending on the quantity of missing teeth, oral health, and individual choice. Below is an in-depth examination of the main alternatives:
Dental Implants
Dental implants involve the surgical placement of titanium posts into the jawbone, which become artificial roots. Integrated (a phenomenon known as osseointegration), they are then capped with individual crowns that resemble your natural teeth in color, shape, and function.
- Pros: They are very long-lasting, usually lasting 20+ years or a lifetime with proper maintenance; provide a natural look and feel; preserve jawbone by stimulating it as though roots were present; and are not dependent, not relying on or altering surrounding teeth.
- Cons: The higher initial cost; surgery being needed, potentially requiring multiple visits; and a longer healing time, usually several months to provide healing.
Dental Bridges
Bridges use one or more artificial teeth supported by adjacent healthy teeth or implants. Enamel is removed from the anchor teeth for crowns to hold the bridge in place.
- Pros: Quicker to complete than implants, in weeks; less invasive with no bone surgery required; and cheaper to replace one or two teeth.
- Cons: Might need the realignment of healthy teeth adjacent, which may also slowly wear them down; not as long-lasting, typically lasting 5–15 years; and limited bone preservation since they won’t stimulate the jawbone like implants.
Implant-Supported Bridges
For individuals missing several teeth in a row, implant-supported bridges combine the stability of implants with the coverage of a bridge. Strategically positioned implants are anchored, and the bridge is secured to them, closing the gap without the support of natural teeth.
- Pros: Extremely stable and secure; preserves bone through implant integration; suitable for wide gaps or full arches; and longevity of 15+ years.
- Cons: Needs a higher cost due to the implants; has surgical components; and includes a months-long process similar to that of regular implants.
For quick comparison at a glance:
| Option | Durability | Cost | Procedure Time | Procedure Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Implants | 20+ years | High | Months | Yes |
| Dental Bridges | 5–15 years | Moderate | Weeks | Limited |
| Implant-Supported Bridges | 15+ years | High | Months | Yes |
Key Considerations Before Choosing:
Selecting the correct permanent teeth replacement involves considering several factors to find the best option for your specific situation. You should be aware of what is at risk due to tooth loss before you choose one option.
- Oral Health Status: There should be healthy gums and adequate bone density, particularly for implant placement. In cases of bone loss, pre-treatment options such as bone grafting or periodontal treatment may be required to provide a sound foundation.
- Budget and Insurance: Costs can vary per implant, with full-mouth being more costly. Insurance typically does not cover it fully, but rather partially for the restoration. Clinics like Simply Smiles at Arrowhead offer financing or payment plans to make it accessible.
- Lifestyle and Goals: Your age, diet (e.g., a preference for crunchy foods), and cosmetic concerns are at stake. Active individuals or those seeking to optimize their longevity will tend to prefer implants, while others will opt for bridges for their convenience.
- Long-Term Maintenance: Implants require daily brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits, much like natural teeth. Bridges must be replaced or repaired at some point, as well as specialty products like floss threaders to clean underneath.
- Risks and Complications: Implants carry surgical risks such as infection or failure to integrate (less so with good care). Bridges subject the nearby teeth to excessive forces, which over time can lead to decay or weaken them. Discussing these with your dentist minimizes worry.
Why Timing Matters?
Timing is crucial in permanent tooth replacement to prevent further damage from tooth loss.
- Stopping Bone Loss: Early treatment preserves jawbone density because implants or bridgework-supported teeth stimulate the bone, making treatment simpler and grafts often not required.
- Preventing Further Destruction: Waiting allows teeth to move, which can cause bite difficulties, increased wear, and gum disease, potentially complicating or ruling out certain possibilities.
- Systemic Health Risks: Infection of the mouth can be associated with overall conditions such as heart disease (resulting from bacterial transmission), complications of diabetes, or malnutrition due to difficulties with mastication, underscoring the urgency for action.
- Emotional Benefits: Repairing tooth loss earlier on renews a confident smile, enhancing social interactions and mood, allowing you to live life to the fullest without fear.
Replacement of permanent teeth is necessary for maintaining health, restoring function, and regaining confidence after tooth loss. Postponing the treatment for a dental bridge or implant exposes you to risks like deterioration of bone, misalignment, and systemic health complications, requiring early intervention. With accredited permanent teeth replacement options like those provided at Simply Smiles at Arrowhead, you get access to personalized, professional options that create long-lasting, natural outcomes.
Don’t wait—talk to a dental professional today to review your options and begin a brighter, healthier smile.