Dr. Mortensen is here blogging from Fountain Valley, CA today to explain to patients why dental implantation is the leading tooth loss solution in the industry. Dentures and dental bridges are a thing of the past and here at Andrew G. Mortensen D.D.S. Inc. we believe in the oral and dental restoration that dental implantation can provide patients for years to come.
Dental devices such as dentures and dental bridges can actually do more damage than help due to the lack of natural and permanent fit. Dentures had a good reputation for awhile, considering patients could remove them whenever they wanted. In the beginning they showed great promise on the convenient front, but more recently dentures are showing their true colors to patients. As patients pull them out of their mouth and place them back in, the fit never seems to be as secure as it was in the beginning. Just like a brand new pair of pants that you wear for the first time, dentures can provide an initially perfect bite for patients. However, just as the pants begin to stretch and fit more awkwardly each time to wear them, the dentures slip out of place on the gums and teeth. As the dentures slide out of place, they bring the gums with them. Our gum tissue is meant to be quite durable and obviously very important, however the constant stress and pressure of the dentures can weaken them and can cause them to physically sag. When gum tissue becomes loose, it can start to change color, bleed and eventually recede from the teeth. Gum recession is a very dangerous oral instance due to the exposed tooth roots that become intensely prone to decay and can eventually cause the tooth or teeth to fall out completely.
As if this was not reason enough to ditch the dentures, they can even put unnecessary stress on the teeth and jaw due to the uncomfortable and unnatural bite potential they provide. When patients cannot get a firm bite or chew on their food, the teeth and jaw must compensate for this. Over time the bones in the teeth become weakened and lose their dense body, this can cause them to become more prone to decay and cavities.
Although dental bridges are supposed to be a “permanent” solution, the required filing down of the neighboring teeth, in order to ensure a comfortable fit in the mouth, causes the teeth to become more prone decay over time. When the enamel shield is filed off, the teeth become susceptible to cavities and decay and eventually more tooth loss if consistently neglected. Ironically that is what patients decided to to get the bridge for in the first place, it cannot be a good sign that wearing these could result in further tooth loss. We do not recommend dental bridges at this practice for that reason because we feel that patients deserve a solution that can fight for their oral and dental health for years to come.
Thank Goodness for Dental Implants
Dental implantation is the leading tooth loss solution for patients as it naturally works to restore oral and dental health. Not only do dental implants feel and look great in the mouth, they can even provide increases in bone density and prevent gum disease from developing. Dental implants are comprised a non- decay, titanium alloy material that is accepted naturally into the mouth through the process of osseointegration. Osseointegration is the biocompatible fusion of titanium in the jaw that allows dental implants to become a functioning part of the oral system. When the process is completed, the patient is able to bite and chew with dental implants just as they could with their natural teeth, which allows the teeth to strengthen over time. As the pressure is taken off of the gums, it allows them time to repair themselves and heal, while simultaneously protecting the tissue from decay, plaque and bacteria.
Want to learn more? Visit our Dental Implant Info page.
Call us Today to Schedule a Consultation in Fountain Valley, CA
Ditch those dentures and dental bridges and join the dental implant movement today. Dental implants can work to restore all patients’ oral and dental health over time, provide protection from harmful gum diseases, and even make teeth stronger with a better bite. The choice between the three is a no- brainer, call us to schedule a consultation with Dr. Andrew Mortensen at (714) 421-4722.