Ten benefits of dental implants
If you’re thinking about dental implants to replace a missing tooth or teeth, the chances are that you may have some questions. Are they the best option for you? Are dental implants expensive? Are you a suitable candidate? Will your dental implants look natural?
To help answer these questions and give you more information, we’ve put together a list of what we think are the top ten benefits of dental implants:
1. Dental implants look like a natural tooth
Once a dental implant is fitted with its prosthetic tooth, the result looks completely natural. The prosthetic tooth sits flush to the gum line, so no-one will be able to spot which are your real teeth and which are restorations.
2. Dental implants behave like a natural tooth
One of the greatest benefits of dental implants is that they behave like natural teeth, providing a strength and function that is unrivalled by other restorations. Because the dental implant itself is anchored firmly in your jaw bone, much like a natural root, it gives the false tooth stability.
3. Dental implants can prevent bone loss
One of the side effects of losing a tooth is that you also begin to lose bone mass around the missing tooth site. This is because there is no longer a root there to encourage the ossification/strengthening of the bone. By placing a dental implant in your jaw bone, it stimulates new bone growth through a process called osseointegration. This can help to prevent future bone loss.
4. Dental implants support your facial structure
Following on from point 3 above, it’s bone loss that can give people with missing teeth a sunken, ageing appearance around the mouth that goes on to impact the structure of the whole face. By helping to keep your jaw bones strong, dental implants can help to preserve your facial structure.
5. Dental implants are long-lasting
Like your natural teeth, with the right care, dental implants have the potential to last a life-time.
6. Dental implants are cost effective
If you look at the life-time costs of dental implants compared to the costs of other restorations that may need to be replaced on a regular basis, then they are surprisingly cost effective. Once your mouth is orally fit and your implants have been successfully placed, we can help you concentrate on preventing any future problems.
7. Dental implants won’t limit what you eat
One of the biggest complaints associated with tooth loss or wearing dentures is that people have to modify what they eat because their bite is either less effective or because the dentures don’t stay in place well enough to make it possible to eat things like apples or steak.
Once dental implants are stable, most people are able to eat and drink as normal.
8. Dental implants let you eat, talk and laugh with confidence
Following on from point 7 above, tooth loss and/or wearing dentures can often impact on someone’s confidence. Having missing teeth may affect how you feel about smiling, while denture wearers often comment that they worry about their dentures moving when they’re talking or laughing. With dental implants or implant-retained dentures, they are held in place by your jaw bone and will not move so you can go about your day with complete confidence in your smile.
9. Dental implants are easy to care for
Dental implants are easy to care for in that they require the same care as a natural tooth, i.e. brushing and flossing at least twice a day, regular dental check-ups and routine hygienist appointments. Many people think that, because their implants are not made from organic materials, they don’t need to be cleaned but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Like natural teeth, dental implants can still attract plague and tartar, gum disease and infections without the right care.
10. Dental implants offer predictable outcomes
The success of a dental implant will depend on its position in your mouth and the amount of jaw bone you have in place to support it. Factors such as smoking can also influence whether a dental implant eventually succeeds or fails. Overall, dental implants have a success rate of approximately 98%, meaning that they give predictable outcomes and are suitable for the vast majority of people.
To discuss the benefits of dental implants at our Grantham dental practice, simply call us at the Dental Health Centre on 01476 594480 to book an appointment or fill in our online contact form.