Why Dental Implants?
Pasadena

There are many reasons why you might find yourself in need of tooth replacement. Maybe you lost one or more teeth in an accident or injury, you might have teeth removed as part of an orthodontic straightening, or perhaps you just didn’t care for your teeth as consistently as you would have liked. Whatever your reasons, Pasadena patients trust Foothill Center for Dental Implants and Oral Surgery for quality replacement procedures, and we can help you too.

Benefits of Dental Implants

Pasadena dental implants patients can look forward to so many benefits compared with other methods of treatment, but some of the highlights include:

• Prevention of Bone Deterioration: When teeth are missing, the roots that were once bonded to your gums and jawbone are no longer present, and over time, your jawbone can begin to deteriorate as a result. Left untreated, this can lead to a breakdown in your facial structure, giving a sunken-in appearance. Implants prevent this deterioration and preserve your natural facial structure.
• Natural Look & Feel: Unlike other methods of treatment, dental implants look, feel, and function like natural teeth, giving you increased confidence when smiling, eating, and just living your normal life. They also provide natural chewing power, eliminating the dietary restrictions inherent to some other treatments.
• Long-Term Viability: Quality dental implants are made to last through a lifetime of use. Though there are cases that arise where replacements are needed, implants still last much longer than other treatment methods, which require replacement every 5-10 years.
• Protection of Existing Teeth: Because dental implants are self-supporting, your surrounding healthy teeth remain untouched, whereas other methods can compromise their long-term health. Bridges and dentures require neighboring teeth to be shaved down, therefore damaging them in the process.
• Restored Quality of Life: Missing teeth can leave you feeling embarrassed and self-conscious, but alternative treatments like dentures and bridges may not completely erase these things. Quality dental implants look and function naturally, giving you the confidence to eat, laugh, and enjoy life to the fullest.

How Do Dental Implants Compare to Other Options?

Pasadena patients often ask how dental implants compare with other methods of treatment. Often, alternatives such as partial dentures can appear more cost-effective up front, but implants are the recommended option for long-term oral health. Let’s have a closer look at the other common treatment methods:

• Dentures/Partials: Dentures are often considered a low-cost and convenient solution to missing teeth. While they do tend to cost less than implants up front, they generally need replacing every 5 years or so, and can actually cost more over a lifetime of treatment than dental implants. The clasps they utilize to stay in place can compromise the health of neighboring teeth and eventually cause them to fall out. Denture wearers also often complain of discomfort, pain, and bad breath.
• Tooth Supported Bridges: Bridges can also be of lesser initial cost than dental implants, but they are still subject to the need for replacement every 10 years or less. Unlike dentures, they aren’t removable, but are, rather, cemented in place. Adjacent teeth must be filed down to make room for the necessary hardware, causing irreparable damage. Similar to dentures, bridges also draw support from neighboring teeth and can eventually cause them to fall out.

The biggest drawback to the above methods is that they do not protect against jawbone deterioration. Over a lifetime of care, dental implants can often be the more cost-effective option, but when you consider all the added benefits they offer, they often emerge as the clear choice.

Dental Implants in Pasadena, CA

Still not sure about dental implants? Pasadena’s Foothill Center for Dental Implants and Oral Surgery is here to help. Call to schedule your consultation today at (626) 792-3161.