04 Aug Dental Implants: Enjoy the health benefits of a complete smile
Everyone realizes that a missing tooth or missing teeth have a detrimental effect on the smile’s appearance. However, tooth loss also has consequences for your oral health and your overall well-being. Those factors are also compelling reasons to consider dental implants as a treatment for tooth loss.
With dental implants, patients get a structurally complete tooth replacement. The implant is a post made of titanium, which fuses with the jaw. Because the implant osseointegrates, it serves the same function as the missing tooth root. It secures the prosthetic arch and prevents the jawbone from eroding, which happens when the root is absent.
For this reason, your dentist can help prevent further tooth loss by placing dental implants to replace missing teeth. If the jawbone continues to atrophy, the adjacent teeth may be at risk.
Dental implants also benefit patients in terms of nutrition because people who choose implants can enjoy a more complete diet. Dental implants are more effective at chewing due to the connection between the jaw and the prosthetic.
Avoiding a tooth replacement intervention entirely also can have negative outcomes for your oral health. The empty space can offer a welcoming spot for oral bacteria to collect, proliferate and cause tooth decay or gum disease. It can be difficult to keep the space clean, and debris can collect there, providing a food source for those bacteria.
Of course, the aesthetic benefits of dental implants should not be discounted, either. Positive self-esteem and self-confidence are important components of your mental health, and these aspects, too, benefit from dental implants.
Dental implants are appropriate for patients with varying scenarios of tooth loss. They can be used to replace a single tooth or to support a dental bridge or denture when multiple teeth (or even all of them) are missing. These devices have significant advantages for a patient’s health, so talk to our dental team to see if you may be a candidate for dental implants. Call 972-264-5795 today.