Is Replacing Healthy Teeth with Dental Implants a Good Idea?

Dental implants offer many important advantages, and as such they are often regarded as the gold standard for replacing teeth that are missing or severely damaged. But what if your teeth are currently in good health? Could dental implants still be worth getting? Here’s some important information that can help you figure out what is truly right for your smile.

What are the Benefits of Dental Implants?

Dental implants have the unique ability to mimic your natural tooth roots, which gives them all kinds of advantages that other tooth replacement options can’t match. For one thing, dental implants give your teeth enough strength and stability to handle virtually any food; that means you won’t have to worry about the diet restrictions that are often associated with traditional dentures.

Furthermore, dental implants can help you maintain a strong, healthy jawbone. Normally your natural teeth stimulate the underlying bone whenever you bite or chew; without such stimulation, the jaw will start to shrink. Dental implants are the only type of tooth replacement that can provide the stimulation necessary to prevent bone loss.

It’s also worth noting that since dental implants can be brushed and flossed as if they were natural teeth, they are quite simple to maintain. And if you give your dental implants the right kind of care, they can last for decades – far longer than the lifespan of a traditional bridge or denture.

But Should You Get Dental Implants to Replace Healthy Teeth?

The answer to this question is a simple, straightforward “no.” Even though dental implants have many advantages over other tooth replacement methods, it’s always better for your oral health to keep your natural teeth whenever you can. As such, if there’s nothing wrong with your teeth, there’s absolutely no reason to replace them.

So When Should You Consider Replacing Your Teeth with Dental Implants?

Your dentist will only recommend getting dental implants if saving your natural teeth is no longer a viable option. Some circumstances that may make tooth replacement necessary include:

• Having a Knocked-Out Tooth: Sometimes a lost permanent tooth can be saved, but if this is no longer an option, replacing it with a dental implant is the next best thing.
• Extensive Damage: You may need to have a tooth extracted if it is so badly injured or decayed that it can’t support a restoration.
• Severe Infection: A tooth infection can often be treated with a root canal procedure. In some cases, though, an extraction may be needed to stop the infection from spreading.

Do you truly need to have your teeth replaced? And are dental implants the right choice for the job? These are questions that your dentist can answer for you if you schedule a consultation with them.

About the Author

Dr. Corey Martinez graduated from the Indiana University School of Dentistry. During his studies, he found that he had a passion for oral surgery. Today, he is proud to be able to offer his Indianapolis patients start-to-finish dental implant treatments. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Martinez at Martinez Dentistry, visit his website or call (317) 846-3431.