Thanks to modern dentistry and advancements, dental implants are the next best thing to natural teeth. Dental implants are tooth replacement options that are designed to look, function and feel exactly like real teeth. They are made of titanium posts, a collar, and a crown. The titanium cylinder is surgically placed in the focus site where it will heal, and a crown that resembles the visible part of the tooth will be placed to complete the replacement procedure. This can be an incredible option, especially if you go for dental implants treatments. But why are more and more patients choosing dental implants? Read on to find reasons why you might need them.
They are long-lasting tooth replacement options
Tooth loss affects many people. In search of tooth replacement options, you might stumble across dentures and bridgework that require replacement over time. Dental implants, on the other hand, are designed to last a lifetime. They are surgically placed into the empty site where the implant fuses with the jawbone to guarantee permanency. Similar to real teeth, they are the longest lasting replacements if appropriately maintained.
In addition, dental implants have a high success rate. What does this mean? Once the surgery becomes successful and the dentist confirms that the implant’s fusing progress is satisfactory, only bad oral habits will interfere with the longevity of the replacement option. In comparison to other methods, dental implants are believed to have the highest success rate.
Prevents bone loss
Missing teeth are notorious for causing jawbone erosion. The tooth root support stimulation of the jawbone typically through the pressure from chewing. With teeth, the jawbone maintains adequate density to support other teeth which keeps it in proper shape. On the other hand, without teeth, the jawbone begins resorbing and may cause other adjacent teeth to fall off. However, replacing the missing teeth with dental implants helps with maintaining the jawbone density. Implants are made of titanium posts that are slotted into the jawbone and act like the tooth’s root. The dental implant integrates with the bones to provide the required stimulus in the jawbone similarly to how a real tooth root would.
Easy maintenance
Dental implants require the same amount of preservation and care that natural teeth do. Dental implant maintenance includes brushing and flossing a few times a day as well as visiting the dentist regularly. Other options such as dentures require special attention, products, and care to keep them in top-notch condition. Dental implants are not vulnerable to dental decays and cavities. Nonetheless, oral hygiene is vital as they are still susceptible to gum disease. Generally, when compared to other replacement options, they demand the least amount of care and maintenance practices.
Improved appearance
To begin with, dental implants resemble natural teeth. Loss of teeth impairs one’s self-confidence. Implants replace the missing teeth and bring back the natural appearance that should help patients gain confidence in public. No one can tell the difference between natural teeth and implants. Also, dental implants maintain jawbone health as earlier stated. This prevents the development of sunken faces brought about by the bone loss. Tooth replacement alternatives such as dentures are not fixed and may fall off during speech causing embarrassments and reduced confidence.
Improved ability to eat and chew
Have you ever watched television comedies when a character chews an apple and leaves behind their dentures embedded on the apple? It can get embarrassing besides being uncomfortable. Dental implants are placed deep into the gums, and after recovery, they fuse with the bone just like real teeth. With that kind of implant permanency, it gives patients the ability to chew comfortably without teeth falling off. With implants, patients can bite and eat any type of food.
Prevent further tooth loss
Dental implants are normally slotted in locations where a tooth needs to be replaced. In short, a dentist would recommend having a single dental implant sitting in a missing tooth’s site. Implants do not alter with the positioning of adjacent teeth as they do not require support to stay in place. For instance, a dental bridge may use other adjacent teeth to sit correctly in position. This affects other teeth and forces them to move and become loose due to the pressure from the dentures. Dental implants are anchored on their own and do not need support which guarantees you safety from future dental issues.
Overall lower costs
Implants are viewed as expensive options when compared to other alternatives due to their initial and upfront costs. It is true that dental implants require higher costs during surgery. However, the long-run costs are cheaper compared to other alternatives that demand high upkeep costs. After recovery, they only require standard oral hygiene practices and dental checkups similar to that of natural teeth.
On the other hand, dentures and bridges require constant refitting, replacements, special pastes, and cleaning tools. They also bear additional dental problems in the future such as bone loss. In the long run, dental implants are cost-effective options compared to other tooth replacement alternatives.
Dental implants are slowly gaining popularity owing to their multiple benefits. From the points discussed above, it is evident that they improve not only overall health but also appearance. They should make you feel and look better as permanent tooth replacement solutions. We hope that these reasons will give you the answer to your question “Do I need dental implants?”
