Take Our Quiz About Dental Implants!

There are a multitude of ways to fix your smile and replace missing teeth. There are bridges, dentures, and even dental implants. It’s quite possible that you’ve heard all of these things before, but these services are very different.

What’s the best way to replace your teeth? Which service is the least invasive? What restoration can nearly mimic the power and function of your natural teeth? I have all of those answers and more in a quick 5-minute quiz who can find below. There is nothing to stress about. There is nothing on the line here. We just want you to have the best information available before you make major decisions about your oral health.

1.) What’s the leading cause of tooth loss?
Gum disease
Tooth decay
Trauma
None of the above

2.) What tooth replacement nearly matches the power of your natural teeth?
Removable denture
Dental implant
Bridge
All of the above

3.) We can restore dental implants with:
Dentures
Crowns
Bridges
All of the above

4.) Your jawbone will not recede with removable dentures.
True
False

5.) Getting dental implants is painful.
True
False

Here are the answers.

1. ) A. Gum disease is the leading cause of gum disease. You might think that tooth decay is the biggest risk of tooth loss because you hear more about tooth decay as a kid than you do gum disease. But the reality is that gum disease is responsible for claiming more permanent teeth then tooth decay or trauma. The reason is that gum disease can spread throughout the mouth quickly. The earliest stages of gum disease are curable, but the later stages are not. In the most severe cases of gum disease, the gums will separate from the tooth and the infection will cause the bone to deteriorate. Bleeding gum or swollen gums are common signs of gum disease. Patients with gum disease are recommended to visit the dentist every three to four months.

2.) B. Removable dentures and bridges cannot match the power of a dental implant. A dental implant is made from titanium, which is a material that naturally fuses to the jawbone. This is why the implant is so durable and strong — because it literally becomes part of your body. That’s power you will not find in a standard bridge or traditional dentures. We work with a periodontist to place dental implants for patients missing one tooth or all their teeth. Dental implants are more expensive than other replacement options, but the procedure can be completed with a 95 percent success rate! Those are great odds to spend your money on.

3.) D. Dental implants are not only strong, they can be restored with a number of devices. We are huge proponents of dental implants, particularly if you have just one missing tooth. A single missing tooth can disrupt the alignment of your remaining teeth. Before dental implants, dentists commonly used traditional bridges to fill the gap caused by a missing tooth. The problem with a conventional bridge is that we have to file down the healthy teeth adjacent to the gap to support the restoration. We prefer to do less tooth preparation whenever we can, and dental implants allow us to leave your natural teeth untouched.

4.) B. One of the biggest pitfalls of removable dentures is that the oral appliance is not secured to the jawbone. When you lose your natural teeth, the jawbone begins to recede. Patients with removable dentures know this change well. The jawbone changes shapes, which causes the facial structure to change. Patients with removable dentures lose the vertical dimension between the nose and chin and also develop wrinkles around their mouth. Dental implants fuse to the jawbone and preserve the jawbone, allowing you to keep your youthful appearance.

5.) B. Getting dental implants doesn’t have to be uncomfortable. I understand the procedure sounds intimidating, but it’s really no more involved that getting a fillings. We use the most state-of-the-art techniques and procedures to ensure that your dental visit is pleasant and comfortable.

I hope you score well on this quiz. If you got a few questions wrong, don’t worry. As much as I love treating patients, I also love teaching my patients. I would love you meet you and discuss our restoration dental options. It’s never too late to fix your teeth. Call us at 703-978-5253.