Dr. Vernon Sheen offers dental implants for patients with missing teeth. Dental implants provide extensive benefits compared to other dental restorations. Implants are the most natural-looking and innovative solution for replacing missing teeth. The dental implant procedure has significantly improved and now has a success rate of about 98%. There are many benefits of dental implants in our Annapolis, MD, dental office.
Your dental implants can last forever with proper care and biannual visits to Dr. Sheen. Dental implants can replace one or several missing teeth or secure a denture when an entire arch of teeth has been lost or extracted. Implants provide a stable, confident, and completely functional solution for missing teeth. Implants will also support healthy bone growth in the jaw to maintain your natural appearance and profile.
The Benefits of Dental Implants in Annapolis, MD
When you get an implant-supported crown, bridge, or denture, you want to ensure your restoration lasts. You also want your replacement teeth to look natural. Implants offer these benefits and more to patients with missing teeth. Dental implants offer:
A Natural Look
A dental implant will look, feel, fit, and function like natural teeth. This is especially true when compared to dentures or a dental bridge. Implants are strong and stable and the next best thing to your real teeth.
Our office works with dental laboratories that create implant restorations made of tooth-colored materials. We color-match false teeth to any remaining teeth. If you are missing all your teeth, we will color-match your dentures to your desired shade. We use materials that reflect light, just like natural teeth.
Permanent Treatment
Dental implants are durable and last longer than other dental restorations. The other options at our Annapolis, MD, dentist’s office for missing teeth, such as traditional dentures, will eventually need replacement. That cost can add up over time. When properly placed and cared for, dental implants can last a lifetime.
Improved Oral Health
If you don’t treat your missing teeth, your other natural teeth can shift to fill the tooth gap. Shifting teeth can overcrowd the mouth, making it harder to clean your teeth and gums.
Overcrowded teeth are hard to clean. Replacing missing teeth immediately prevents overcrowding, which can increase your risk of tooth or gum infection.
Treatment for Facial Sagging
Without support from your teeth, your jaw bone can shrink over time. Jaw bone recession is common in patients who have not replaced missing teeth over months or even years.
A face without teeth will appear sunken and can add years to your appearance. Dental implants help keep the natural shape of your face and lower jaw area. With dental implants, your smile will also appear more natural.
Jawbone Support
If you’re missing a tooth or multiple teeth, that void can cause bone loss and deterioration in your jawbone. Dental implants are the only option for missing teeth that stimulate the jaw bone, which helps stimulate bone growth. This will help prevent bone loss.
Bridges and dentures lay on the gums, which means they do not support the jaw bone. As a result, you can still lose natural jaw bone after you replace missing teeth. Implants will preserve healthy jaw bone and support any surrounding natural teeth.
Tooth Support
A tooth-supported dental bridge requires grinding down your healthy teeth to provide a place to attach the bridge. You’re essentially damaging your healthy teeth to replace the missing tooth. A dental implant is surgically placed only in the space where the missing tooth is located, leaving your healthy teeth alone.
Durability
Talking with removable options for missing teeth can be embarrassing because they sometimes slip or do not fit correctly. Dental implants are permanent and do not slip, making speaking much easier.
The constant worry that your dentures may fall out while talking or eating can make social situations intimidating. This leads to feeling uncomfortable in public or around other people. Dental implants are permanent and release a person from that constant worry.
Improved Eating Function
Traditional restorations have some eating restrictions making it difficult to maintain a healthy diet. Dentures will deliver about 30 to 40% of normal chewing function. Because of this, you can only eat soft foods. Restricting your diet can impact your nutrition.
With dental implants, there are no restrictions on what you can eat since they are durable, stable, and permanent. You can enjoy the foods you love without worrying about slipping dentures.
Easy Maintenance
You don’t need to remove restorations like implant-supported bridges and dentures. Implants are easy to care for because they are fixed in the mouth and act like tooth roots.
We recommend brushing and flossing your implant restorations like your natural teeth. Remember to floss before brushing, then use a non-abrasive toothpaste and soft-bristled toothbrush.
Are Dental Implants Affordable?
As you’ve seen, dental implants are worth it for many reasons. Implants last longer than bridges and dentures and improve the function and look of your teeth. The benefits of dental implants in our Annapolis, MD, dental office often outweigh the cost.
Still, many patients are concerned by the cost of dental implants. Dental implants are often more expensive than the alternatives because of their materials and surgery costs. However, implant restorations do not need frequent relining or rebasing.
If you need dental implants to replace missing teeth, we will work with you to fit treatment within your budget. Most insurance companies cover a part of restorative treatments like dental implants.
Our office accepts Care Credit, which can help you finance your treatment. We will also work with your insurance plan to file claims for your convenience.
Call Our Office Today
Do you need to fix gaps left by missing teeth? Contact our office at (443) 482-5202 to receive lasting dental implants. You may also schedule an appointment with Dr. Sheen online. Let us know if you have questions about how implants can benefit you. We’re here to help.