Dental implants are one of the most popular methods of replacing a missing tooth for a variety of reasons, including the fact that they last longer than bridges and dentures. If you've been interested in dental implants but are curious about how it is that they last so much longer, then look no farther than this guide to find out.
Material
The material utilized in making a dental implant is one of the first reasons why they last so long. Dentures and bridges are typically made out of porcelain and steel. In comparison, dental implants are manufactured out of porcelain and titanium. Titanium is one of the strongest materials known to mankind, and thus it lasts a lot longer and puts up with a lot more stress and strain than simple steel and porcelain can.
Placement
Another thing that makes dental implants last longer is their placement. Dentures and bridges sit above the gums and are attached either with adhesive or wires that keep them in place. Dental implants, on the other hand, actually submerge beneath the gums. The part that you can see, the crown, is just the top of the implant. The actual implant is hidden beneath the surface of the gums entirely, which helps to secure it in place but also prevents it from coming in contact with unnecessary wear and tear. This isn't the case with bridges and dentures; every part of the bridge or denture is exposed to wear and tear, which starts to break it down faster than implants.
Support
Lastly, the fact that your implants go under the surface of the gums means that there's one other way that they're supported: by your own bones.
Your jaw bone plays a role in securing your real teeth. It grows healthy bone cells around the base of the tooth's root, fusing it to the jaw and keeping it in position. But guess what: it does this with dental implants too.
The length of a dental implant is very similar to that of a real tooth, and as a result, it reaches the jaw bone when in place. This allows the bone cells to grow around the base of the implant, tightly securing it in position. So there's no wear and tear on surrounding teeth to keep the implant in place as can happen with dentures and bridges.
Dental implants are one of the best methods of tooth replacement out there for all of these reasons. If you're now convinced, get in touch with a dentist to start the process for yourself.