8 Unique Benefits of Dental Implants

Dental implants are a reliable tooth replacement option for patients interested in replacing missing teeth. Oftentimes, patients are frustrated with missing teeth and the stigmas that come along with this. The benefits listed below should inspire you to consider dental implants in the future.

1.) IMPROVED NUTRITION

Missing teeth drastically affect a patient’s ability to eat foods that many of us take for granted. The front teeth in your mouth are used to tear into foods and then with the help of the tongue the food is sent into the back of the mouth to chew and crush with the molars.  When patients are missing teeth the ability to bite into foods or chew them becomes compromised, leading to diets of a softer consistency. Softer foods can be heavily processed or high in sugars leading to an unbalanced diet and increased cavities on your remaining teeth. Once teeth are replaced with dental implants a patient’s ability to chew is restored. 

2.) IMPROVED SPEECH

Missing teeth can impair your ability to speak clearly to others. In particular, the front teeth are responsible for much of our ability to correctly pronounce specific words. Pronunciation can be slurred or result in unexpected whistling. If this is a concern for you, replacement of the missing teeth is recommended to improve phonation. This can be accomplished with removable prostheses such as dentures or partials. These removable options while cheaper can also move or cause speech issues. Fixed bridges can also replace missing teeth by drilling the neighboring teeth down for crowns. Dental implants involve surgery that only involves the space of the missing teeth and can be an excellent alternative to restore your ability to speak clearly.

3.) A NATURAL APPEARANCE

Tooth loss can be frustrating because it can not only affect your smile but also the structure of your face as well. Patients that have lost all of their teeth can have a loss of bony support of the face resulting in downturned corners of the mouth, a prominent chin, or a sunken facial appearance. There are various materials that can be used to replace missing teeth. A denture is made of acrylic (plastic). A partial has a metal substructure with clasps and acrylic that is then added on top of the metal. Bridges have a metal substructure with porcelain baked over the metal. Dental implants are buried within the jaw and a crown is then fabricated that engages the implant. Crowns can be made from various materials. As you consider options for replacement, patients often wish to have something that is both functional and also natural looking.  The more money you invest the more natural in appearance the materials become.

4.) COMFORTABLE

Removable options such as a denture or partial can take some getting used to initially and will ultimately never feel like natural teeth. They are removed for cleaning purposes and are often left out overnight. Fixed bridges replace missing teeth by crowning the neighboring teeth and “bridging” a fake tooth across the void. This provides a more natural feel in the mouth, but does require attentive cleaning with floss threaders and proxy-brushes under the bridged area for longevity of the bridge. Dental implants have a more natural feel in the mouth and are cleaned like natural teeth. Oftentimes patients that have implants forget they are there or are unable to differentiate or identify which tooth is the implant!

5.) CONFIDENCE BUILDER

People with dental imperfections or missing teeth often hide their smile in public gatherings or photos due to low confidence in their smile. When a smile is restored with dental implants, patients regain lost confidence and are often happy to show off their new smile to others. In fact, some of the patients at Conestoga Oral Surgery have shared with us that they tell all of their friends and family how their dental implants have changed their lives and restored their self-esteem in ways they couldn’t have ever imagined. 

6.) DURABLE 

Most dental implants are comprised of a titanium alloy, which is well accepted by the body. This titanium is extremely strong and similar to titanium used in orthopedic surgery for joint replacements. After the implant is placed, it heals for several months and osseointegrates (bone grows directly one the implant surface), which increases the strength and ability to chew without worry. Many patients have had implants placed 30+ years prior and they remain strong and healthy. Of course, proper dental hygiene is crucial. Patients that brush regularly and floss around the implant will help maintain good gum health, which is important for the longevity of the implant.  There are risk factors that do affect the long-term prognosis for implants including smoking, uncontrolled diabetes, immunocompromised states, and periodontal disease (gum disease leading to bone loss). When these risk factors are managed well or completely resolved, the risk of compromise is reduced.

7.) MAINTAIN GOOD BONE HEALTH

Once a tooth is removed, the forces applied to the jaw when speaking and chewing no longer exist. These forces maintain bone strength and thickness. Within months of an extraction the bone at the extraction site will begin to deteriorate and thin. Some patients that have had a tooth extracted many, many years prior are not eligible for implant placement because the bone in the area is too thin. There are grafting procedures that can be considered and this should be discussed with your oral surgeon. There are times that grafting is not possible. When a dental implant is placed, it restores the forces to the jaw, maintaining bone health and strength.

8.) LOW MAINTENANCE

Dental implants require no more maintenance than your natural teeth. When good oral health is practiced, the implants will last many years. There are times when a crown that is placed on the implant can become loose. Should this happen, you should return to the dentist that placed the crown and have the prosthetic screw tightened. The crown on an implant can also fracture when patients engage in bad habits such as chewing ice or grinding of the teeth. Your general dentist will also keep a close eye on things at your six-month cleaning appointments.

At Conestoga Oral Surgery, we have been placing dental implants since 1985. We place thousands of implants per year and utilize implants from some of the most trusted names in implant dentistry. We also place great importance on using some of the latest technology on the market today to ensure accuracy and success with your implant surgery. If you need to have a tooth extracted or have been struggling with missing spaces don’t hesitate anymore. Call us today to schedule an implant consultation with one of our trusted oral surgeons.