Dental implants are an effective treatment for missing teeth. They are robust, durable and can last a lifetime with proper care. Dental implants have many more benefits that make them a popular choice for those missing one or more teeth. Let’s take a closer look before you schedule a free dental consultation near you to find out more.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a small metal rod embedded into the jawbone to act as a replacement for a missing tooth. The implant is then capped with a replacement tooth, called a crown, which is attached to the implant by an abutment (a connector). Once the implant is placed, osseointegration occurs after several weeks – whereby the implant fuses with the jawbone. The result is a solid and stable dental restoration that looks, functions and acts like a natural tooth.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Improve your smile
Losing teeth can be a traumatic experience, not just for how it makes your smile look, but for how it feels. People with missing teeth may feel self-conscious about their appearance, affecting their confidence and self-esteem. They may also avoid social situations and limit their interactions with others. In some cases, people with missing teeth may even experience depression. Dental implants are a great way to replace teeth and help you smile again if you’re missing teeth.
Prevent bone loss
Dental implants have the added benefit of preventing bone loss in the jawbone. Healthy teeth roots are essential in stimulating the jawbone to produce new cells, which keeps the jawbone strong and maintains density. When a tooth is lost, the bone that supports it begins to resorb or break down, leading to a decrease in jawbone density. A dental implant acts like healthy teeth, stimulating the bone to keep it healthy.
Support facial structure
By maintaining jawbone density in the alveolar ridge (the part of the jawbone where the teeth roots are situated), a dental implant helps to support the structure of the face. If a tooth is lost, the soft facial tissues around the mouth can begin to sink into the space, causing lines, wrinkles and sagging. Eventually, the shape of the face changes—particularly around the mouth, where a sunken appearance can develop. So, one of the main benefits of dental implants is preserving a youthful appearance.
Maintain your bite
Dental implants can preserve the bite by preventing the shifting of your teeth. When you lose a tooth, the surrounding teeth can begin to move, causing problems with your bite that can lead to other disorders, such as TMJ. A dental implant prevents your other teeth from shifting and can help you to avoid these problems. If you are missing one or more teeth, talk to your dentist about dental implants.
Long-lasting
You should get a free consultation at your local dental clinic to discuss the longevity of dental implants, as several factors affect how long they last—such as lifestyle habits (like smoking) or health issues (like diabetes). However, with good care, a dental implant can last a lifetime.
Do not compromise healthy teeth
Some tooth restoration treatments can compromise healthy teeth. For example, healthy tissue is removed from the teeth on either side of a gap to fit a bridge/dental crown. Dental implants do not compromise any of the other teeth—and are beneficial in stopping the teeth shifting and maintaining bone health.
Easy to look after
Dental implants are easy to look after and do not require special measures. Like a natural tooth, a dental implant can be maintained with a twice-daily oral hygiene regime of brushing and flossing. Regular visits to the dentist are also necessary to monitor your oral health and implant.
Maintain oral health
A dental implant is easier to keep clean than other tooth replacement choices as it has a smaller surface area where bacteria can stick or hide, thus reducing gum disease. Additionally, a dental implant will not cause rubbing on the gums or other teeth, as a denture may.
Eat what you like
Dental implants are secure—so you do not need to worry about the food you are eating and whether your implant will become loose or fall out (as is the case with some dentures). You can eat nutritious corn on the cob, sticky ribs, and crunchy applies without worry—nothing is off limits.
The Takeaway
The benefits of dental implants are numerous—and although they are expensive compared to other tooth restoration treatments, they are worth it in the long term and require very little maintenance once they are placed. Speak with a dentist that offers free consultation appointments at Complete Dental if you’d like to know more about getting a dental implant.
References
Pub Med – The Development And Future Of Dental Implants
Colgate: Bone resorption
https://www.colgate.com/en-us/oral-health/mouth-and-teeth-anatomy/bone-resorption-why-it-happens-and-what-to-do-next
Mayo Clinic: TMJ Disorders
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/tmj/symptoms-causes/syc-20350941#:~:text=The%20temporomandibular%20(tem%2Dpuh%2D,muscles%20that%20control%20jaw%20movement.
Oral Health Foundation: Gum disease
https://www.dentalhealth.org/gum-disease