5 Key Benefits of Choosing Dental Implants for Missing Teeth

Losing a tooth is never something that you would want to happen, but since it can be unavoidable, you should know that a dental implant is one of the top options for replacing a missing tooth. There are many advantages to pursuing this path over alternatives like dentures. It is true that dental implant installation is an invasive procedure, and the process requires multiple months from beginning to completion, but overall, most patients find getting implants to be a positive experience.

However, before you make a decision, be sure to do your research or ask questions so your dentist can clarify what to expect. Here are five of the most notable benefits of dental implants for missing teeth.

Why choose dental implants for missing teeth

A dental implant requires a dentist to affix a metal post into a patient’s jawbone. To do this, the dentist will make an incision into the gums (where the tooth once was) to install the post. The patient must wait for the bone to fuse around the implant post before the prosthetic tooth can be affixed. The reasons that dental implants are beneficial include the following.

They are a seamless replacement

Unlike options like dentures, dental implants have the same translucence and shade as the patient’s natural teeth, helping them to blend in seamlessly with the rest of the smile. They look and act natural, so patients do not need to care for them in any particular way beyond maintaining the same good oral hygiene that they do with the rest of their teeth.

They stimulate the jawbone

One of the most substantial positives of dental implants over other options is their ability to stimulate the jawbone. When a tooth is missing, its roots are no longer present inside the jawbone tissue. As a result, the bone begins to atrophy, getting thinner and weaker. Not only does this pose a hazard to the jawbone because it is now more susceptible to breaking, but it can also lead to a sunken look to the face.

Fortunately, dental implants are installed directly into the jawbone, and the metal posts function just like tooth roots. As a result, the jawbone remains strong, and patients do not have to worry about atrophy.

They support the surrounding teeth

The jawbone is not the only part of the body that relies on a tooth and begins to suffer once it goes missing. The nearby teeth and gums also benefit from the sturdy presence that a tooth brings. Once it is lost, the nearby teeth may begin to come out of alignment, shifting to fill the gap.

Patients may want to avoid this outcome for aesthetic reasons, but there are also hygiene reasons to combat this process. When the teeth are misaligned, they can be harder to clean, and the change to the patient’s bite can cause muscle imbalances, contributing to soreness and headaches. Inserting a dental implant supports the nearby teeth so they stay in position.

They last a long time

On average, dental implants last longer than other tooth replacement options. Where dentures last around seven to 10 years, dental implants can go decades with minimal or no issues. How long a dental implant lasts will depend on numerous factors: a person’s general hygiene habits, the foods that they eat, the strength of their jawbone, and whether they required a bone graft.

They do not come out

Another advantage of dental implants for missing teeth is that they are fixed in place. Unlike dentures, which may slip out of the mouth while eating or speaking, dental implants are bonded directly with the jawbone, just like a tooth root. This means they function like natural teeth for the purposes of biting, chewing, and speaking.

The patient can speak confidently, knowing that their implant will not move. They also do not need to worry about losing, dropping, or reinserting it because it remains fixed in place.

Explore dental implants for missing teeth

A dental implant could be a viable option if you are missing one or more teeth. Candidacy for an implant depends on jawbone density, susceptibility to infection, and many other factors, but you should not hesitate to schedule an appointment for an evaluation to learn if dental implants are right for you. Contact our office to schedule an appointment or to ask questions about how these teeth replacements can fit into your life-long oral healthcare plan.

Request an appointment here: https://gallodental.com or call GDC Smiles at (770) 504-5725 for an appointment in our Gainesville office.

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