Long-Term Benefits of Dental Implants for Replacing Missing Teeth
Despite the advancements in dental technology and the improvements made in the provision of dental care, millions of people still end up suffering from tooth loss. Tooth loss can occur for several reasons, the common ones being cavities, injury, and periodontal disease. Before dental implants became popular, the only treatments available for patients with missing teeth were dental bridges and dentures. Then, dental implants came and made tooth replacement better and more efficient. This article will talk about dental implants and their long-term benefits.
What Are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are teeth replacement devices that serve as artificial tooth roots in patients with missing teeth. They consist of a titanium post secured to the jawbone and will sometimes be fitted with dental crowns to make them even more effective. Dental implants are natural looking, so they will mimic the appearance of natural teeth when installed correctly by a dentist in Redding, CA.
How Dental Implants Can Improve Oral Health and Function
Dental implants have numerous oral health benefits. Here is how dental implants help improve oral health:
Stimulate Bone Growth
One of the major benefits of dental implants is that they help improve oral health by stimulating the growth of jawbone tissue. After tooth loss, the jawbone will slowly deteriorate due to lack of nutrients. The supply of nutrients to the jawbone tissue is usually enhanced by root stimulation that is lost after tooth loss. Replacing your missing teeth with dental implants allows the implants to function like artificial tooth roots, encouraging the production of nutrients to nourish the jawbone. A healthy jawbone is crucial as it helps you maintain your facial appearance, so you don’t end up looking older than your actual age.
Prevents Your Teeth From Shifting
Teeth shifting tends to result from having one or several missing teeth as your body tries to compensate for the wide tooth gaps by slowly shifting the remaining teeth toward these spaces. Dental implants help prevent this by filling the gaps left behind after tooth removal so your teeth can stay in their correct position.
Makes Chewing Easier
Patients with missing teeth tend to have a hard time chewing solid food. Patients usually revolve to using only the side with healthy teeth for chewing. Unfortunately, that may lead to future dental problems as the teeth will wear faster and become blunt. The good thing about getting dental implants is that they are strong, comfortable, and durable. This means you can use the artificial teeth to chew on solid food without having to worry about them breaking or coming out of place while eating.
Improve Your Smile
Dental implants provide not only oral health benefits but also emotional and cosmetic ones. If you became self-conscious of your appearance after losing a tooth, consider getting dental implants near you as soon as possible. The implants look natural, so they will blend in with your natural teeth giving you an attractive smile.
The Advantages of Dental Implants Over Other Tooth Replacement Options
Even though all dental prostheses and procedures are effective, it’s no secret that some are better than others. Below are a few advantages dental implants have over other tooth replacement options:
Are More Durable
Modern dentistry has improved traditional dental replacement options, making them more affordable, durable, and effective. Nonetheless, some dental devices still have the edge over others, and this has led them to become a favorite for many patients looking to undergo teeth restoration. Dental implants are a good example; the material it’s fabricated from is strong and stain-resistant making them more robust than other tooth replacement options. Dental implants can last for 15 years or longer before they need replacing.
Doesn’t Damage Surrounding Teeth
Dental implants don’t rely on adjacent teeth for support, which is often the case with other teeth replacement options, such as dental bridges. They instead depend on the jawbone (which is much stronger) for support and do not come off easily. This is quite advantageous as dental devices that rely on natural teeth for support can cause too much pressure on the teeth, causing them to shift in position or wear early.
Supports Other Dental Devices
Dental implants have attachment sites called abutments where other dental devices, such as crowns, can be attached to for support. This gives them an edge over other teeth replacement options that do not accommodate other dental devices.
Cost Effective
Are you afraid dental implants may be too expensive? This couldn’t be further from the tooth. Dental implants may be costlier than alternative treatment options, but you must also consider value for money. Your dental implants will serve you for a more extended period and give you both restorative and cosmetic benefits. Don’t forget to talk to your dental insurance provider since they may be able to cover part or the entire cost of implant restoration, making it cheaper.
What to Expect After Treatment, Including Recovery Time and Follow-up Care
Dental implants need osseointegration to occur to become stable. Osseointegration is the process by which the dental implant fuses to the jawbone tissue making the dental device more stable. Depending on your body’s healing speed, this will take about six months or longer. Your dentist will give you painkillers to make recovery more comfortable and provide a list of aftercare instructions.
Conclusion
Dental implants are a reliable tooth replacement option with numerous benefits. If you have missing teeth and live in Redding, CA, visit Riverbend Family Dental to have them restored. We have years of experience practicing dentistry and accept popular payment methods, including dental insurance.