For most dental patients, losing natural teeth is a devastating experience. Not only does losing your teeth affect your smile, it also affects your ability to chew and speak, which can have an impact on your overall quality of life. Many people who lose their teeth experience loss of confidence, and may feel uncomfortable in social situations. Functionally, however, losing teeth can make it difficult or even impossible to enjoy certain foods. Dentures have been a popular solution to tooth loss for many years, but there are some major drawbacks to functionality. Today, dental implants are the preferred solution for missing teeth both for their superior functionality and cosmetic appearance. Let’s take a look at how the two option for tooth loss compare when it comes to chewing power.
Dentures and Chewing Power
Dentures aren’t the most convenient option in the world for full teeth replacement. They have to be removed to clean, then secured in the mouth using a messy adhesive that doesn’t always keep the false teeth in place. This can cause the dentures to slip and slide when chewing, limiting the types of food that can be enjoyed. The loss in chewing power from dentures is truly shocking—it’s about 10% or less of the full, normal chewing power of natural teeth!
Dental implants, on the other hand, don’t feel or look any different from natural teeth. They don’t have to be removed for cleaning since they are anchored into the jaw bone, replacing the roots of the teeth. They can simply be cared for like natural teeth. More importantly, they don’t have the same problems that dentures do when it comes to chewing power. Most patients have full chewing power after the placement of a dental implant, and can continue to enjoy the tastes and textures of their favorite foods without limitations or irritation. Dental implants also allow patients to eat nutritious, hard-to-chew foods with ease, without resorting to a blender to get proper nutrition.
Preserving the Bone for Long-Term Function
As if the difference in chewing power wasn’t enough of a benefit, dental implants also have an important role in maintaining the structure of the jaw. Over time, with nothing anchored in the jaw bone, the bone in the area can fade away in denture users. This can cause facial collapse, and make it even more difficult for patients to eat and live a normal life. Dental implants solve this problem by replacing the roots of the teeth and preserving the jaw bone for long-term function.
Getting Dental Implants
If you don’t want to sacrifice your enjoyment of food or be annoyed by slipping, sliding, clicking noises, or loss of taste while you eat, then you may want to consider getting dental implants to replace your missing teeth. Techniques for dental implants have improved in the last few years, and even if you need every tooth in your mouth replaced with dental implants, you may be able to get your new teeth put into place in a single appointment!
Dental Implants: A Fresh Start
Thanks to dental implants, patients no longer need to be devastated at the news that they will lose their natural teeth. Dental implants represent a fresh start, allowing patients to maintain both their ability to chew and their confidence. Since implants are so easy to care for, it’s almost as if the teeth were never missing at all!
If you’re thinking about your options for full teeth replacement, remember that it’s important to go to an expert in dental implants in order to get superior results. Dental implants should last a lifetime, unlike dentures, and you should make sure that you’re getting the best care possible. Miami Periodontists Drs. Gallardo take pride in their dental implant expertise, and can help you get a fresh start with same-day implants or traditional implants. For more information, call 305-547-8805 today!
