Reasonable Restorations: How Dental Implants Can Save You Money

Many experts consider dental implants the ideal way to replace missing teeth because of their many unique advantages. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, they include a titanium rod that’s embedded into your jawbone. Once your mouth fuses with the metallic material, it becomes a permanent part of your mouth.

As a result, these restorations tend to be stronger and sturdier than the alternatives, but that’s not the only benefit. Continue reading to learn more about 3 ways dental implants can also save you money in the long run!

Perk #1: No Accessories Required

Did you know that your jaw begins to thin after tooth loss? Your roots stimulate new bone growth every time you bite down, which keeps it active and healthy. Unfortunately, when they go missing, you can lose up to 25% of the surrounding mass within the first year.

That’s bad news for patients with dentures, because the gum-colored acrylic base must form a tight suction against the connective tissues over the bony ridges in their mouths to remain in place. If these mounds shrink, their teeth will no longer fit correctly.

As a result, they often must invest in glues, like adhesive creams, that form an additional layer of cushion and strengthen the bond. They also need soaking solutions, special brushes or floss, and other accoutrements that eventually add up. Thankfully, dental implants function as standalone structures that don’t require additional accessories to remain in place, which can save the cost of the extra products over time.

Perk #2: Resilient Materials

Dental implants also tend to last longer than other options because of the durable materials used to create them. The titanium rod that fuses with your jawbone can potentially remain stable for the remainder of your natural life, and the resilient ceramic that comprises the crown (or other appropriate restoration) can last 15 to 20 or more years if it’s cared for correctly.

Dentures and dental bridges tend to last closer to 5 to 10 years before they start to wear down noticeably, and usually require periodic repairs or replacements due to stains, chips, cracks, a poor fit, or other damage that can be costly to mend.

Perk #3: High Success Rate

Did you know that people with dentures are more likely to develop gum disease? The prosthetics can easily trap bacteria, leftover food, and other debris against your connective tissues all day, giving unwanted germs plenty of time to thrive and penetrate your connective tissues. Not only that, but dental bridges are anchored to healthy abutment teeth in your mouth, which are prone to developing cavities because they can’t be brushed, resulting in restoration failure you’ll have to pay to fix.

Meanwhile, dental implants have an incredibly high success rate of more than 90%. Although any oral surgery comes with a potential risk of infection, you’re not likely to develop complications if you follow your provider’s post-op instructions carefully!

If you’re unsure of the best way to rebuild your smile, consult your dentist, and they’ll suggest an appropriate treatment based on your current dental condition, available budget, and personal goals.

Meet the Author

Dr. Philip Lisk has more than 20 years of experience helping families in North Raliegh build and maintain their happiest, healthiest smiles. He earned his dental doctorate from the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry in Chapel Hill, and has completed continuing educational opportunities with prestigious institutions, like the Dawson Academy. Today, he offers a comprehensive menu of services to conveniently meet all your needs under one roof, including replacing lost teeth. He works with the best local surgeons to ensure accurate implant placement, then provides lifelike restorations for seamless results. You can request a consultation on the website or by calling (919) 870-6892.