Confucius say “Good thing no cheap—cheap thing no good.” Yet when your dentist in Bloomington, IL tells you that you should get dental implants to replace your missing teeth, you may be still be put off by the cost of the implants at first. Before you decide to go for a cheaper restoration, though, you should consider that like any worthwhile purchase, dental implants are really a long-term investment in your smile. Here are some reasons implants might be a better investment than many other options.
First, your smile will usually be at its healthiest and strongest when you have all of your natural teeth in place. This is because the structure of the natural tooth goes deeper than what you see, and the roots of your tooth help to keep your jawbones and gums healthy. Without a tooth’s roots, bone and gum tissues tend to deteriorate leaving the face looking sunken. An implant is currently the only restoration that replaces a tooth’s root as well as the visible crown. This means that an implant can support your bone and gum tissues much like a natural tooth could. Additionally, the dentist does not need to alter any remaining teeth to place an implant, as they must when placing a bridge.
Due to having a new root as an anchor, the whole implant restoration has the benefit of functioning like a natural tooth. As a result, you won’t need to adjust to a new way of eating, speaking, or even cleaning your teeth, and being able to clean your teeth normally will have a positive impact on the health of your smile. The implant is a much more stable restoration, so you don’t have to worry about it slipping or falling out. Ideally, dental implants are meant to last for life, unlike dentures, which need to be relined or replaced frequently.
Indeed, the cheaper option is not always the best option for your smile, and it may not even be the cheapest option in the end. When you need to replace lost teeth, make sure you have fully discussed all your options and their unique benefits for your smile with your dentist.
Eastland Dental Center is owned and operated by the father-daughter duo, Dr. Mike Milligan and Dr. Marisa Milligan.
Dr. Mike completed his doctor of dental medicine degree from Southern Illinois University in 1978. Dr. Marisa completed her doctor of dental medicine degree from Midwestern University in 2015. Both doctors have logged hundreds of hours of continuing education to stay on top of the latest technologies in dentistry as well as the most current research on the oral-systemic, mouth-body connection to benefit their patients. Dr. Mike and Dr. Marisa are active members and in excellent standing with the American Dental Association, Illinois State Dental Association, Chicago Dental Society, McLean County Dental Association, American Academy of Oral Systemic Health, and numerous other societies.
Both doctors are avid golfers and have won several national golf tournaments over the years. They are the only father-daughter team in the state to have won the Illinois State Amateur Golf Championship. Dr. Mike in 1974 and Dr. Marisa in 2005.
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