Dental implants are one of the most popular and effective dental treatments available today. These small posts made of titanium metal are placed into the jawbone by a dentist to replace a natural tooth root. They are made of biocompatible metals or ceramics and are inserted into the jawbone in place of a tooth root to provide a foundation to place crowns or bridges. Here are some of the benefits of getting dental implants.
- A permanent solution to missing teeth
Dental implants offer a permanent solution for those dealing with tooth loss and jawbone deterioration. They’re designed to mimic the look, feel, and function of natural teeth—and actually stimulate the jaw to prevent bone loss over time. This means that if you ever need a restoration to replace an extracted tooth or teeth, such as a crown or bridge, your dental implant can take its place! This makes them a conservative alternative to other restorations. Plus, they’re super convenient to care for, requiring just brushing, flossing, and regular checkups with your dentist. Your implant is customized to your mouth, so it’s highly unlikely that you’ll experience any serious complications like infection or tooth decay that can threaten your other teeth. While implants may not be right for everyone, they can benefit the majority of people struggling with tooth loss.
- Promote bone growth
Dental implants are the only tooth replacement option that can prevent inelastic bone loss in the jaw, which is caused by missing teeth. Dental implants are slowly absorbed by the jawbone and act as an artificial root structure to which the crown can be secured. This process of reabsorption encourages the growth of new bone tissues in the socket of the missing tooth and can encourage overall bone health.
Other options, like bridges and dentures, do not replace any lost bone mass. The jaw bone will shrink over time, giving your face a sunken appearance. This can make you look older and can even make it difficult to talk or eat comfortably.
- Improved speech clarity
Dental implants restore both function and aesthetics. When teeth are lost, your bite pressure changes, which can cause changes to your facial features over time. The jaw can atrophy from the loss of teeth, causing sagging lips and a sunken appearance to the lower face. Speech may also suffer due to the changes in the way a person swallows. With dental implants, you can restore the structure that was lost in your jaw and support full chewing functions. As a result, the jaw maintains its form without becoming recessed from the sudden loss of teeth. Not only does this help to preserve healthy facial contours, but it allows you to speak clearly again. In fact, many patients with dental implants report that their speech is clearer than it used to be.
- Easier eating/chewing
If you have missing teeth, particularly ones that have affected your chewing or biting force, dental implants can be a great option to provide you with a new tooth that functions just like a natural tooth. Because the implant is permanently rooted in the bone of the jaw, you don’t have to worry about removing any pieces for cleaning like you would with dentures. In fact, you can brush and floss just as you would with your healthy teeth! This can help further prevent tooth decay and gum disease from occurring in your mouth. Plus, you can rest easy knowing you can eat the foods you love without any restrictions!
The dental implant itself is designed to work just like the root of your tooth. This means when you bite down, you will feel the same amount of pressure you would on your natural teeth. You can even chew up foods like nuts or apples without worrying about breaking a tooth! Just be careful when eating foods that are hard or tough to chew.
- Preserve facial structure
There are many benefits of dental implants, but one of the biggest is their ability to preserve your facial structure. When a tooth is lost, the bone that is used to support the tooth will slowly deteriorate. This will alter the contours of your face and make you look older than you really are. Loss of bone can lead to other health problems as well, including additional tooth loss. However, when you replace missing teeth with dental implants, you can prevent bone loss and maintain the shape of your face.
To learn more about dental implants, contact Dental Arts of Boston at (617) 266-0441 today to book an appointment with Boston Dentist.