“Why would I want a dental implant?”

Implants offer many impressive benefits. They cannot decay and are never hot, cold, or sweet sensitive. Implants actually preserve the bone around them and help prevent the bone from gradually shrinking over the patient’s lifetime. Above all, implants feel like your own teeth.

What is the difference between a dental implant and a cemented bridge?

In order to perform bridgework, the teeth next to the missing tooth must be cut down or trimmed smaller. These teeth are sometimes perfectly healthy, virgin teeth with no decay or fillings in them. When a dentist replaces a missing tooth with an implant, abutment, and crown, he doesn’t have to touch the healthy teeth next to the missing tooth, which is a great benefit!

Bridges have to be flossed daily using a special tool called a floss threader. Many patients won’t take the time to use this threader to floss, and when the bridge is 10 years old, it can become decayed and have to be replaced. While implants may cost a bit more than a bridge, they will save you money in the long run because 98.5% of implants never have to be replaced.  Most bridges are replaced at least once, if not twice, in a patient’s lifetime. Sometimes, due to poor flossing habits, one or both of the teeth under the bridge can become so severely decayed that they have to be surgically extracted. After the extraction(s), a larger, longer, more expensive bridge has to be made. Unlike bridges, implants are flossed just like your natural teeth. No floss threader is needed so it is much easier to floss and clean around implants.

We know dental implants

All of the dentists at SmilesRForever have extensive experience with implants. Our dentists receive continuing education on the latest techniques and technologies.  With our cone beam CAT scan technology, the doctors can digitally plan the implant placement on a computer program before actually placing the implant in your mouth. This 3-d x-ray shows the doctors more than regular 2-d dental x-rays so that they are able to see each patient’s exact anatomy and quality of bone. This gives every patient the comfort of knowing their implant will be placed successfully. Call SmilesRForever today, (618)939-4042, to schedule an implant consultation to see how we can help you change your smile.