BENEFITS OF DENTAL IMPLANTS
While we would all prefer to preserve our healthy teeth, there are times when this simply isn’t possible. You may have had an accident in which a tooth or teeth were knocked out, your teeth may be falling out or you may need to have a tooth or teeth extracted. Whatever the case may be, it’s important to replace the missing tooth or teeth as soon as possible to ensure your ongoing oral health. One tooth replacement option is dental implants.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are dental prosthetics that are used to replace a missing tooth or teeth. This is done by installing a titanium screw (or multiple screws for multiple teeth) to hold a false tooth or set of teeth in place.
Why Dental Implants?
Dental implants are an excellent choice for tooth or teeth replacement for a variety of reasons. Some of these reasons include:
Cosmetic Appearance
Having a missing tooth or teeth can be unsightly. This leads many people to feel self-conscious about their smile, which can affect their mood and diminish their self-esteem. An implant will restore a patient’s smile, and can often improve a patient’s self-esteem.
The Prevention of Migration
Beyond the cosmetic reasons for implants, they are also extremely practical and imperative for ongoing proper oral health. One way that implants help with oral health is the prevention of teeth migration. When a gap is left where a tooth or teeth are missing, the surrounding, healthy teeth will often begin to shift and fill the gap. This is not only unattractive, but also dangerous.
An Improved Bite
Biting and chewing can be impaired due to a missing tooth or teeth. Implants help to restore a patient’s bite—allowing them to continue eating foods that they love and enjoy.
Jawbone Health
What a lot of people don’t realize about having missing teeth is the affect that it can have on their jawbone. When a tooth or teeth are missing, the bone tissue of the jaw begins to deteriorate. This can actually affect the look of a patient’s face. Implants help to preserve the integrity of a patient’s jaw bone tissue.
Prevention of Tooth Decay and Gum Disease
As teeth begin to shift, it can be difficult for a patient to properly brush and floss. Because of this, patients are often at a higher risk for tooth decay and gum disease. With the placement of an implant, the migration of surrounding teeth is halted—leaving less hard-to- reach spots for food particles to become trapped in.
Are Implants Right for Me?
While dental implants are an excellent replacement choice and are ideal for most patients, not all patients are candidates for implants. Patients that have experienced damage to the jawbone or have an otherwise compromised jawbone may not be candidates for implants. Although bone grafting may be a possibility, there is no guarantee that it will work. Speak with your dentist about whether or not you are a good candidate for tooth or teeth implants.
Interested in learning more about Drs. Leal, Spangler, and Johnson and their dental implant process? Call today and setup your consultation.
Just looking for more information about dental implants in general? Here's reading on the differences between dental implants and dental bridges.