Statistics show that 69% of adults between 35 to 44 years have lost at least one permanent tooth to an accident, gum disease, tooth decay or a failed root canal. By age 74, 26% of adults have lost all their permanent teeth.
(from www.aaoms.org )
Decades ago, patients who suffered from tooth loss only have dentures or fixed bridges as their alternative to restore their smile. However, removable dentures become uncomfortable when it produces clicking sounds while eating or speaking. It may also cause bone loss in the area where the tooth is missing. On the other hand, fixed bridges may damage adjacent teeth to which the bridge is attached, and gum disease may cause bridges to fail. Removable dentures and fixed bridges usually need occasional replacement to avoid gum diseases and other oral problems.
Now, a more permanent and healthy solution is placing dental implants in areas where permanent teeth used to reside. A titanium metal is implanted into the jaw bone where gums and bone grow into it, making it an integral part of the jaw, a process called “osseointegration”. It works like a real permanent tooth, avoiding the problems stated earlier. Patients that take good care of their implants and overall oral health can expect their new permanent teeth to last them a lifetime.