What Are Dental Implants?
A dental implant is an artificial root that is placed in your mouth to take the spot of a missing tooth. Missing teeth can have a detrimental effect on your oral health, general health, and facial features.
Oftentimes your adjacent or opposing teeth will want to move into the space of the missing tooth. This can lead to gaps between the other teeth. The adjacent teeth may tilt into the space of the missing tooth making it more difficult to properly clean them. This can lead to decay and gum disease. This also affects your bite and the ability to properly chew your food. Sometimes the opposing tooth will super erupt into the missing space. This can cause a change in the alignment of all your teeth near the missing tooth.
Sometimes the missing teeth can be seen in your smile. Additionally, having missing teeth can often make someone feel self-conscious about their smile. Missing teeth can cause your cheeks to sink in. They can also decrease the height of your face, which would make you appear older than you are.
If you choose to replace your missing teeth, there is a high likelihood that your dentist will recommend dental implants.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Dental implants come with a long list of benefits. If you are considering dental implants, here are some of the benefits you can expect:
They Look Natural
With modern materials and technology, dentists design your implants to be specific to you and match your current bite and smile. Implants are always created with the intention of the artificial tooth blending in with your real and natural teeth.
Options To Replace A Missing Tooth
There are three options to replace a missing tooth: dental implant, fixed bridge, and a removable partial denture. Other teeth have to be altered to have a fixed bridge or a removable partial denture. Dental implants can be placed without altering another tooth.
They Improve Your Oral Health
The implant fills the missing space. This will prevent movement of the other teeth. It will provide you a more efficient bite, and it will be easier to maintain your proper oral hygiene.
They Make it Easier to Speak
Your tongue and your teeth play an important role in your speech. If certain teeth are missing, it can change the way you talk. Other options like dentures may slide around in your mouth, making it sound like you are slurring or create a lisp. That is why a more permanent solution like implants will allow your speech to flow more smoothly.
They Prevent Bone Loss
After a tooth is extracted, the bone that once surrounded that tooth begins to degenerate and disappear over time. Up to 40% of the width of the bone is lost in the first two years. This bone loss will continue over your life. Dental implants are the only treatment option to replace a missing tooth that prevents bone loss.
They are Low-Maintenance
One of the many benefits of dental implants is how low-maintenance they are. Just like your natural teeth, dental implants require the same daily oral hygiene. This requires brushing them twice a day for two minutes each time, flossing once a day, and using mouthwash if you choose to do so. Having dental implants eliminates any extra maintenance steps that may come with other restorative options.
They Help You Chew
Missing teeth can cause a shift in the alignment of your teeth and jaws, causing changes to your bite and the way you chew. Dental implants chew food as efficiently as your natural teeth.
They Increase Your Self-Confidence
There is a significant connection between someone’s smile and their self-esteem. If you have a missing tooth or gap in your smile, you may feel reluctant to show people your smile and experience lower levels of self-esteem. This could be attributed to the changes in the shape of your face or even your speech. However, dental implants help you regain a smile you love for a lifetime.
Dental Implants at Dentistry By Design
Dentistry By Design offers a permanent and natural-looking replacement for missing teeth as well as a broad range of dental services. To find out if dental implants are the right solution for you, contact our office online or call us at (931) 771-8500 today!