Dr. Maria Loukas and Dr. Thanasi Loukas provide dental implant placement and restoration at our Park Ridge dental practice. Dental implants provide a durable and natural looking method of restoring missing teeth. Of course, other procedures exist for restoring smiles, as well. Dental bridges and dentures, including full and partial, have been used for many years to improve smiles damaged by missing teeth. Your Park Ridge dentists explain the advantages of dental implants over more traditional dental procedures.
Implants vs. Dental Bridges
What is a dental bridge? A bridge contains a replacement tooth with crowns attached to each side. The crowns will be placed onto the natural teeth on either side of the empty socket. The crowns then anchor the new tooth into place, restoring a patient’s smile. While bridges provide an excellent means of replacing teeth, they rarely last as long as implants. On average, a dental bridge lasts between 10 and 15 years. A dental implant may offer up to 25 years of quality restoration. In addition, an implant is received by the body as a natural tooth, which prevents the loss of jawbone density often associated with missing teeth.
Implants vs. Dentures
When a patient loses their teeth, dentures are often the most commonly prescribed solution. Partial dentures may be recommended to replace a few missing teeth, while full dentures can replace all of a patient’s teeth. Unfortunately, over time dentures may become worn and uncomfortable, requiring a new set. Patients with removable dentures also must endure messy adhesives and embarrassing slippage when eating or speaking. Dental implants allow your Park Ridge dentists to secure a permanent set of full or partial dentures. No more slippage, no more adhesives. Simply care for your new restorations as you would your natural teeth. Using between four and six posts placed into the sockets of missing teeth, we can return your mouth to full function and appearance with implant-retained dentures.