Dental implants are becoming more popular by the day, mainly because the state-of-the-art technology continues to get better and offers more benefits to more people than ever before.
The advances in dental technology also are making implants more available to more people. If you have previously lost a tooth to decay or lost a tooth in an accident or in a collision on an athletic field and were told you were not a candidate because of certain dental or health conditions, that may no longer be the case.
When implants first became an option to removable dentures or a bridge, patients who had insufficient bone or unfavorable health habits may not have been considered a candidate. But as bone reconstruction techniques have advanced as well, even patients with bad oral health or poor gum tissue may be able to get an implant.
Here are some of the benefits of dental implants and why they may be right for you.
Regain Your Ability to Chew
An implant will restore a patient’s ability to chew because the implant is a titanium screw that is inserted into the jaw of the patient. When the healing process is complete and the titanium root will be able to support a crown and will act like a natural tooth.
No Chance of Decay
While a traditional bridge or denture may have lasted between 10 and 20 years, an implant is likely to last a lifetime. Because the implant or “root” is made from titanium and will integrate with the jaw, a powerful replacement tooth will be created.
Create a Stimulus for the Jaw Bone
When there is vacant space in the jaw, that empty space will cause a deterioration of the jaw bone. Studies show that a vacant area in the jaw can lose as much as 25% of its bone volume in a single year, and if the space remains vacant, the bone loss will continue for years.
An implant acts as a replacement for the tooth and the tooth root and restores a patient’s ability to chew normally. These combine to stimulate natural bone growth once again.
Stabilizes the Jaw and Adjacent Teeth
Gaps in the mouth caused by missing teeth can have a negative impact on adjacent teeth. Teeth can slowly move out of position and affect a patient’s bite and the ability to chew. When chewing is altered, teeth can wear awkwardly and other issues can be exacerbated, resulting in mouth and jaw pain and headaches.
Prevents Premature Aging and Facial Sagging
As people age, missing teeth and the resulting bone loss can have a devastating impact on a person’s appearance. Because there are no teeth and the bone structure in the face is weakened, the lower portion of the face can begin to sag and pull the nose closer to the chin, making a person look much older than their actual age.
If dental implants are inserted into the jaw and stimulate some bone growth, the bone structure of the face will remain intact and prevent sagging from occurring.
If you are interested in dental implants, give our Beyond Dental Health office in Hanson, MA, a call at (781) 293.2128 to schedule a free consultation. You can also visit our website here for additional information about our services.
We also have three other South Shore locations (Abington, Cohasset, and South Weymouth) for your convenience.