The Benefits of Dental Implants for Tooth Replacement
More than 150 million people in the US are missing at least one tooth, but only 1 million get treatment every year. Dental implants are the strongest artificial tooth option and are considered the gold-standard treatment for tooth loss with many benefits. Here’s why.
Dental implants are permanent false teeth surgically installed into your jaw via a metal post (ie. a dental implant). There are several types of implants, but each one includes three parts, including:
Implants may be ceramic or titanium and are safe and long-term materials that bind with your jawbone over time. The type of implant you receive depends on a few factors, from single or multiple tooth replacements and the amount of healthy bone you have to your gum health.
Tooth loss makes it hard to chew and talk comfortably, which can affect your overall health and quality of life. In addition, losing teeth from injury, disease, or decay may be painful. While the dental implant process is multistep and requires surgery and recovery, it also replaces your teeth with a few key benefits.
Your dentist surgically inserts a dental implant into your jaw. Over a few months, the implants integrate or fuse with your natural bone to create a strong foundation for an artificial tooth. This fusion, called osseointegration, is permanent because the implant becomes part of the bone and mimics your natural tooth, creating lifetime tooth replacement.
The artificial tooth or outer layer of the dental implant is designed to fit your gums and jaw with a color that fits your appearance. These teeth have a natural look and help restore your smile so you feel comfortable.
One of the most important benefits of dental implants is their durability. These appliances are made with strong materials that can withstand acids and sugars in food that typically lead to enamel breakdown. They can also withstand the force of chewing, leading to long-lasting treatments. In general, dental implants have a high success rate, with 97% of teeth lasting more than 10 years.
Tooth loss can cause nearby teeth to shift and lead to bone loss because of the lack of force and pressure of teeth on the jaw. These changes cause problems with bite and any remaining teeth or lead to structural facial changes and a sunken appearance, especially if you’re missing all or many teeth.
Dental implants replace the tooth root and integrate with your jawbone, placing pressure on the bone and stabilizing your jaw. These teeth also fill in gaps in your smile, preventing other teeth from moving, which helps restore your smile.
Without teeth, you may struggle to chew or talk clearly, affecting your diet, nutritional status, and self-esteem. Dental implants provide permanent and stable false teeth without the slippage and irritation of dentures and restore normal function of your teeth and mouth. These treatments improve your speech, overall diet, and ability to chew.
Missing teeth may interfere with your self-image and affect how you feel about yourself or interact with others. It may also interfere with daily living, including diet, comfort while chewing, speech, and overall health. Getting dental implants restores your appearance with a beautiful and natural smile and may help improve pain from tooth disease or irritation. The result is better sleep, nutrition, health, and quality of life.
Dental implants are an investment but provide lifetime tooth replacement with good care and follow-up. Dr. Hallock and the team at Wilmington Family Dental offer expert care with personalized treatment and state-of-the-art technology. Book a consultation today to discover if dental implants are an option for you and your health.
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