Every dentist focuses more on preventive dentistry to save natural teeth from diseases. However, in some instances, extraction is the only solution. Some patients suffer dental problems due to their age or lifestyle choices, while others are due to bad oral hygiene, genetics, and others. Irrespective of the problem, your dentist will try their best to save your natural teeth until they can’t be saved.
Losing one or more teeth can be devastating too. There’s the dip in self-confidence that comes with it. In addition, missing teeth can affect how you talk or chew. In the end, you may need to see a dentist for a restorative dental procedure. Most dentists encourage dental implants. Interested in trying dental implants? Why not try these out? It offers many benefits, including long-term restoration with natural-looking replacements.
While dental implants have many benefits, you can compare them to your natural tooth. If you’re asking the natural tooth vs. dental implant question, here are some answers you need to know.
Natural teeth can withstand infections better.
Although dental implants are a great restorative dental solution, they do not have the natural function of the teeth. The teeth are designed to create a natural barrier to infections, thus reducing the spread of infections around the mouth. On the other hand, dental implants do not have this biological function making it hard for them to slow down the spread of dental infections.
If you’re wondering why slowing down dental infections is necessary, you should know that nearly half of American adults have gum disease.
In patients with natural teeth, gum diseases like gingivitis or advanced periodontitis have difficulty thriving and multiplying due to the body’s natural reaction to infections. This means the infection must build to a specific load level before overcoming the natural immune response. A low-level infection will thrive better with implants and spread faster to the surrounding areas.
Natural teeth heal faster.
Healing in the mouth depends on the amount of blood flowing into and out of the area. The blood supply brings nutrients and essential building blocks that aid repair and healing. This may be a problem with dental implants.
Some patients who have undergone dental implant procedures may have compromised some of their blood supply networks by the metal post. This reduces the amount of blood dispatched to the area and may delay healing time.
Delayed healing time also creates new problems and exposes the patient to the dangers of infection and inflammation.
Dental implants vs. bone tissue
Dental implants are arguably the best dental restorative procedure available today. However, they do not compare with the natural teeth and their function. Although dental implants restore over 80% of sensation to the jaw bone in the affected area, it is important to note that natural teeth deliver 100% sensation to the jaw bones.
The natural teeth are designed to have a suspension system known as the periodontal ligament. The periodontal ligament helps absorb and distribute pressure from bite force across the jaw bone. The implants are designed to mimic this but do not function at 100% capacity compared to other natural teeth in the mouth.
Implants and attachment breakdown risks
Although dental implants rarely fail and have a high success rate, some patients may experience an attachment breakdown. Dental implant attachment breakdown occurs when a problem arises between the implant and the gum tissue. This problem can be addressed when detected early. In severe cases, the implant may be taken out and reinstalled later.
It is important to note that a dentist should be consulted when your implant begins to swell or when you’re experiencing pain in the affected area.
In comparing dental implants to natural teeth, you’ll find that natural teeth have several benefits over the implant. However, when the natural teeth are lost, dental implants are the best solution to prevent common tooth loss problems like infection, jaw reabsorption, etc. With dental implants installed, you can enjoy the following benefits;
Improved bite force distribution: Dental implants offers the best bite force distribution and jaw stimulation, among other restorative options. With implants, you no longer have to worry about jaw shrinking or problems with biting and chewing.
Natural-looking teeth: Dental implants offer natural-looking teeth with most teeth functions restored. Dental implants allow you to enjoy an improved quality of smile, better self-confidence, and self-esteem.
They don’t decay: Dental implants are prone to infections and decay, unlike natural teeth. They, however, need to be properly maintained through healthy dental practices like regular brushing twice daily, flossing, etc.
