If you’ve lost a permanent tooth, your dentist might recommend replacing it with an implant. Unlike dentures and dental bridges, these restorations involve placing a titanium rod into your jawbone so it becomes a permanent part of your mouth. This gives it added strength and stability over the alternatives.

However, some providers are concerned that increasing numbers of people are asking if they can replace still-viable teeth with dental implants. If you’ve been wondering, continue reading to learn more about it!

How Do Dental Implants Work?

It takes three to six months to recover from implant surgery because your mouth must form enough new bone growth to fuse with the biocompatible material. Once you’ve healed sufficiently, your dentist caps the support rod with a customized dental crown, typically made from resilient ceramic.

The result is a beautiful new tooth that can last 25 or more years if cared for correctly. Plus, the procedure has an incredibly high success rate of more than 90%, meaning you’re unlikely to develop complications as long as you follow your dentist’s post-op instructions.

Are Dental Implants Better Than My Teeth?

These restorations are typically more resilient and reliable than dentures or bridges because they function as sturdy, standalone structures in your jawbone. As a result, some people who are frustrated with dental problems, such as chips, cracks, stains, or decay, wonder whether it’s better to extract their troublesome tooth when a lifelike replacement is available.

However, it’s usually best to preserve the pearly whites you were born with. Your roots stimulate new bone growth every time you bite down, which keeps your jaw active and healthy to support your remaining teeth and facial structure. Although implants contain a pole to serve this function, there’s no guarantee that you won’t develop an infection or other issues after your procedure. That’s why most providers only recommend extraction and replacement if your teeth are too injured to be treated effectively.

Should I Replace My Teeth with Dental Implants?

Your dentist will likely only recommend removing a tooth if it’s sustained too much damage to be fixed with other treatments, like fillings, root canals, or dental crowns. For instance, they might suggest this option if you have:

• An infection that puts your gums, neighboring teeth, or jawbone at risk.
• A loose tooth from advanced gum disease at risk of falling out.
• An injured or diseased tooth with a bad prognosis.
• A tooth that underwent a root canal treatment that failed.
• Wisdom teeth with decay.
• To alleviate pain from an impacted or infected tooth.

If you’re unsure whether your tooth requires extraction and replacement, consulting your dentist is the best way to get accurate answers based on your current condition!

About the Practice

At CityLine Dental Center, your family benefits from two dentists with decades of combined experience helping people enhance their lives by improving their dental health. Dr. Stampe and Dr. Gater are each highly accomplished individually and collaborate to provide a comprehensive menu of services at one convenient location. They partner with local specialists for accurate implant placement to increase the chance of success, then provide resilient restorations made to look like your natural teeth for seamless results. If you’re concerned about a troublesome tooth, you can request an appointment on the website or call (972) 231-9499.