Dental implants are probably not something you’re looking forward to—but they’re the closest thing you can get to natural teeth.
In case you’re not entirely sure what teeth are good for anyway, they’re typically used for smiling, laughing, talking, kissing, and (here’s a big one) eating.
Even if you’re fine living off a diet of soup and juice, having teeth is nice for all those other things.
Unfortunately, as you’ve aged, your teeth may have weathered a few storms. Some of them may have even fallen out, or fallen into decay.
Options for replacing your teeth…or filling in the gaps
Fixed Bridges are made by taking an impression of your teeth. The results are sent off to a lab, which will craft a piece out of metal, ceramic, or glass-ceramic. Teeth on either side of the gap will be turned into knobs that hold the bridge in place.
Drawbacks include the expense of the procedure. Your teeth to either side of the gap will also be altered.
You could also get dentures, which are essentially removable teeth. Hey, George Washington had them—how bad can they be?
Drawbacks include a lack of stability; they can be uncomfortable; they can break; they need to be replaced somewhat frequently.
Some people are also embarrassed to take them out at night and to clean them.
Well the good news is that despite the drawbacks of these options, there is an affordable alternative.
Dental implants
Dental implants are basically man-made roots that connect your jawbone to some artificial teeth, called crowns.
Dental implants have actually been around for almost 2000 years, when the Maya were hammering shells into the gums of the elderly. [1]
But don’t worry—dental implant technology has improved drastically since then. Over 3 million people in the U.S. have them, and 500,000 more are getting them every year. [ibid.]
Dental implants fit into your mouth perfectly. They’re totally secure, and once they’re in, they won’t cause you the pain that dentures can.
They look, feel, and function like natural teeth. And thanks to recent enhancements in the surgery process, the pricing is more affordable than ever.
For example, computer technology now allows oral surgeons to create super-accurate molds that fit you perfectly—at a fraction of the former cost, and in less time.
Take a look at some of the qualified oral surgeons in your area, who can help you feel what it’s like to live with teeth again.
- https://www.aaid-implant.org/dental-implants/what-are-dental-implants/
