At The Maryland Center, each of our Oral Surgeons has years of experience with dental implant procedures. This background means that we are familiar with the common concerns patients have. Here, we provide an overview of some of the questions you may want to ask during your initial consultation and a brief response to help you prepare for treatment.
What Are the Alternatives to Dental Implants?
The Maryland Center generally recommends dental implants as a tooth replacement option because of the advantages the treatment provides. Another provider may instead recommend:
- Tooth-supported fixed bridges. In this approach, the dentist grinds away healthy adjacent teeth and attaches an artificial set of teeth to “bridge” the gap.
- Removable full or partial dentures. These appliances are fabricated with multiple false teeth.
- Resin-bonded bridge. This bridge uses wings on each side that attach to healthy adjacent teeth.
Unlike these alternatives, dental implants provide new tooth roots. This helps to stimulate natural bone and to prevent the bone resorption, or deterioration, that normally occurs when teeth are lost or removed. Over time, bone resorption can impact the integrity of your facial structures and appearance of your smile.
Also, some alternatives to dental implants actually weaken your existing teeth in order to provide an aesthetic benefit (they grind the teeth or put strain on adjacent teeth.) Other alternatives are not are not as stable, durable, and natural-feeling as dental implants.
Do Dental Implants Look, Feel, and Function Like Natural Teeth?
Yes. Your surgeon at Maryland Center will provide new tooth roots with the dental implants and then attach crowns to these roots. Over time, the tooth roots will bond with the jawbone, establishing a strong and lasting foundation.
With these dental implants, you can smile, chew, and use your teeth the same as you would with your natural teeth. The approach offers a complete restoration.
Is the Cost Worth the Investment?
If more than one tooth is missing, dental implants generally cost more at the beginning of treatment than alternatives. However, the long-term benefits of dental implants can actually save you money.
For example, if you have a procedure to bridge a missing tooth, you may experience both bone resorption and the loss of additional teeth in the coming years. You may then require another procedure, experience more bone loss, and eventually pay for more extensive treatment. At The Maryland Center, we believe that investing in dental implants preserves your oral health and prevents follow-up procedures.
Will I Have Missing Teeth for a Time as Part of the Process?
No. The day that we place your dental implants, we will attach temporary crowns that create a new set of teeth. You will not have to go without teeth at all, and you can make a natural-looking transition to the final crowns once the dental implants have established a strong bond with your jawbone.
We want to answer all of your questions so that you enter your dental implant procedure with confidence. Contact your local office of The Maryland Center to schedule an initial consultation.
