Given how they’re praised, dental implants can seem like perfect tooth replacements. Some people even assume the posts work better than what they’re supposed to take over for. However, please don’t be fooled; it’s not a good idea to replace healthy teeth with dental implants. You should always stick to your natural pearly whites whenever possible. As for the reasons behind such claims, your Pasadena dentist will gladly explain in the helpful summary below.
Healthy Teeth are Always Superior
It isn’t just dental implants that shouldn’t replace healthy teeth. Quite frankly, no restorations should substitute for the latter; they can’t match what you were born with.
Healthy natural teeth always work better than prosthetics. Having been shaped by years of evolution, they’re the ideal tools for eating, speaking, and smiling. No existing prosthetic – not even top-tier dental implants – can outperform their benefits to your smile. Furthermore, restorations simply don’t feel as comfortable as natural teeth do.
Assuming they’re at least somewhat healthy, you should keep your natural teeth instead of replacing them. That means opting for cosmetics, dental crowns or fillings, or root canals instead of prosthetics.
You Should Only Replace At-Risk Teeth
Ultimately, dental implants must only replace unhealthy or at-risk teeth. The posts only do their best when “restoring” parts of your smile you can’t otherwise save.
Left alone for too long, “dead” or highly infected teeth do serious harm. Not only might they fall out, but they could also ache and let harmful bacteria spread through your body. Dental implants help you avoid such outcomes by replacing the teeth at issue, ensuring you have an elevated quality of life.
You’ll need to see a dentist to learn if a tooth can be saved. Once they perform an oral exam at their office, they can provide an informed diagnosis.
Ways to Avoid Tooth Replacement
Given the facts above, it’s better to avoid tooth replacement if (and when) you can. That means you should do the following things:
- Keep Your Smile Clean – Twice-daily brushing and once-daily flossing will keep your teeth healthy, so much so that they won’t need tooth replacement.
- Get Dental Checkups – Through frequent dental checkups, a dentist can diagnose and treat your oral issues before tooth replacement becomes necessary.
- Follow a Mouth-Healthy Diet – Rather than junk food that puts teeth at risk, fill your diet with “mouth-healthy” fare like lean proteins, leafy greens, and dairy. Eating them will keep your teeth strong!
Never replace healthy teeth with dental implants, no matter how appealing the latter look. Only get the posts when your pearly are in truly dire straits!
About the Practice
Pasadena Family Dentistry is based in Pasadena, TX. Led by Drs. Revel, Lowery, and Augustine, our practice aims to make every patient’s smile the best it can be. We thus offer oral services that range from dental checkups to dental implants, ensuring you truly personalized results. If your grin ever has a problem, come visit us for the ideal solution! For more details or to book a visit, please contact us on our website or by phone at (713)-946-5171.