Dental Implants Tooth loss is a normal phenomenon in children who are removing milk teeth, but it is not desirable for an adult to lose a tooth. Losing a permanent tooth can be a result of trauma caused during an accident, dental diseases or bad health habits.

The good news though is there are dental remedies for tooth loss, and the question comes in, which one is the best for you? The type of tooth replacement option that will be the most suitable for you will depend on the health of your gums and the number of teeth you have lost.

Causes of Tooth Loss

Tooth loss in adults varies, and some factors promote tooth loss. It is essential to know what is causing your tooth loss for a proper tooth loss treatment plan. Listed below are some of the leading causes of tooth loss in adults.

Poor Oral Hygiene

Proper oral hygiene is extremely important in keeping your teeth healthy. If you fail to clean and floss your teeth in the right way, there will be a build-up of food residues between teeth which attracts bacteria leading to dental diseases affecting your teeth and gums.

Dental Diseases

When an individual gets infected with a periodontal disease and doesn’t get immediate treatment he/she will lose a tooth or teeth.

Bad Lifestyle Habits

Smoking tobacco has contributed to the poor health of the entire human body including the oral health to the extent of causing cancer. Nicotine deposits on the tooth and attracts oral diseases which cause tooth loss.

Avoiding Dental Check-Ups

Dental visits are essential for your oral health since most dental problems are detected during these visits and can be managed before they become chronic. Failing to visit the dentist regularly means you are at risk of getting dental diseases which causes tooth loss.

Types of Tooth Loss Treatments

There are a couple of tooth loss treatments in dentistry, but in this article, the focus will be on two which seem to be famous.

Dental Implants

Dental implants are post inserted deeply into the gum on the jawbone by surgical means. They are artificial dental roots that act as an anchor to crowns and dentures. When they are placed, the jaw bone is given time to attach itself to the titanium post making it stable like the real root. Dental Implants act like a natural tooth. Leaving you with a strong bit force and no worry of your tooth replacement falling out.

They are the only restorative dental procedure that can bond with the jawbone without any side effects. It is the best option for those people who have one or two lost teeth and have a healthy jaw bone mass.

Dental Dentures

Dental dentures are an artificial removable dental replacement for missing teeth. It can be complete or partial depending with the number of teeth needing replacement. Tooth or teeth loss can be replaced immediately or conventionally in dental dentures.

Implants and dentures differences

Cost

Most insurance plans don’t support full price for dental implants because it is expensive compared to dentures. But many dentists that offer dental implants also offer financing. So you don't have to avoid dental treatment due to cost.

Durability

Dental implants are known to be durable by lasting up to 20 years and more. When they are implanted, you are sure to replace them 20 years from the time you had it first. Unlike implants, dentures don’t last for long, and you’ll require frequent dental visits for replacements.

Compatibility

Dental implants are not for everyone, and if you have gum disease or weak jaw bone, implants might not be the best treatment option for you. If you have more than two lost teeth, then dentures are the best treatment plan for you since it can replace one or the entire teeth in your mouth. Though you can combine dentures with implants for a more stable denture.

Comfort

Dentures tend to move and displace themselves making you feel uncomfortable since your speech will be disrupted and eating becomes strenuous. Implants provide you with the support you need since you’ll not notice it is present and you can continue with your usual daily routine without disruptions.

Restrictions

When a person receives a denture they are usually restricted to softer foods, and this will change your nutritional behaviors. Dentures make it difficult to converse, and it is crucial you learn to talk and eat with it in place.

A dental implant, on the other hand, doesn’t require support from neighboring teeth as it is implanted directly on the jaw bone which later on grows and bonds with the titanium post. When the bone has fully integrated with the dental implant, you can resume your healthy nutrition. It doesn’t disrupt the natural speech, and you will not feel any difference when it is implanted.