December 09, 2013

No More Pain, Embarrassment, or Doing Without the Foods You Love

 

When’s the last time you bit into a sweet crisp apple? Or grabbed a handful of crunchy baby carrots? Or enjoyed the thickest steak on the menu? 

 

If it’s been a while, read on. Because today there’s a way to get back to eating ALL the foods you love – with total comfort and confidence.

 

A Common Problem

If missing teeth have been the holding you back, you’ve got plenty of company. In fact statistics show that 69% of people between the ages of 35 and 44 have lost at least one permanent tooth.1 And many have lost more than one. In fact, by age 74, 26% of people have lost all their permanent teeth.2

 

That’s a bigger problem than most folks realize. Because losing even one tooth can ruin your smile. And, even if a missing tooth doesn’t show, it can have some serious long term consequences.

 

Missing teeth can cause speech problems and keep you from eating the foods you enjoy. Worse yet, according to Beverly Dunn, DDS, President of the American Association of Implant Dentistry, “just one missing tooth can lead to significant bone loss over time that can alter the jaw structure, cause other teeth to shift and change the shape of your face.”3

 

No Good Answers – Until Now

Unfortunately, in the past, all the ways of replacing those missing teeth have come with some serious drawbacks.

 

  • Fixed bridges, where one or more replacement teeth are attached to your own teeth meant I had to drill down healthy teeth to hold the bridge. And if, over time, those teeth were damaged by decay or gum disease the bridge could fail.
  • Removable partial dentures that clip on to existing teeth could lead to bone loss and contribute to the loss of the teeth to which they were attached.

 

In fact, studies show that within five to seven years there’s a failure rate of up to 30% for teeth located next to a fixed bridge or removable partial denture.4 

 

As for full dentures, they have their own problems, including painful slipping and rubbing, irritation from seeds and other foods that get trapped beneath them and embarrassing clicking noises when you chew that let everyone know you’re wearing false teeth.

 

Like Your Own Teeth – Maybe better

Fortunately, today, there’s a better option. Called dental implants, these replacement teeth act just like your natural teeth. In fact you could say they’re actually better – because they never decay.

 

With implants, scientists have achieved the ultimate success. Your body actually thinks their “roots” are your own and re-grows strong, healthy bone around them. 

 

If you’re missing just one or a few teeth, implants let us give you replacements that behave exactly like your own.  You brush and floss them like your own teeth – and you can enjoy your favorite foods again in total comfort.

 

And if you wear dentures, we can use the implants as “anchors” to keep them firmly in place no matter what you eat.

 

What’s more, unlike bridges and partial dentures, implants are long lasting. Indeed, the vast majority of implants placed more than twenty years ago are still performing well. Even more important, the people who have them are still sure they made the right choice.5 

 

If that sounds interesting, just give us a call. We’ll be happy to tell you how implants can help you smile with confidence – and enjoy digging into all the delicious foods you’ve been missing.

 

 


  1. Dental Implant Surgery, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: http://myoms.org/procedures/dental-implant-surgery
  2. Ibid.
  3. Implant Dentists Warn Tooth Loss Can Harm Your Health, American Association of Implant Dentistry: http://www.aaid.com/news_and_publications/50
  4. Dental Implant Surgery, American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons: http://myoms.org/procedures/dental-implant-surgery
  5. Ibid.