If you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer tooth loss, dental implants are a solution worth investigating. Bridges and dentures were the only options for people with missing teeth for many years. Today dental implants are the choice of over 2 million people nationwide who want to fill in the gaps in their smile. Dental implants provide a strong foundation for replacement teeth that match your natural teeth. If you have one or more missing teeth, read these 17 facts about dental implants below and find out why dental implants are the most popular solution for a healthy smile.
- Dental Implants Match Your Natural Teeth
Dental implants are designed to look and feel like your healthy teeth. Just like natural teeth, they are strong and stable and will not shift or fall out like dentures or partials. To achieve a natural appearance the crown on top of the implant will be shaded to match the staining of your teeth. Dental implants provide a solution that is comfortable and good-looking.
- They are Worth the Investment.
At first glance, dental implants may seem to be a greater initial investment than other restorative solutions. However, the full cost of dentures or partials can be much more over time. Dental implants can last up to a lifetime, while dentures and partials need to be replaced every couple of years due to changes in your jawbone caused by deficiency. These costs can add up over time and be a bigger financial burden.
- Dental Implants Mean Less Worry.
Even the best-fitting dentures can slip or become loose on the most inopportune occasions. Avoid the embarrassment that accompanies these situations with dental implants. There is no need for dental adhesives, pastes, or powders. You will not have to worry about dental implants ever falling out because they are a fixed solution to missing teeth.
- Retain Your Facial Features and Look Younger.
Dental implants can help you look years younger. Missing teeth can result in sunken cheeks, which make you look older. Your smile can disappear into a frown, and people who are missing teeth tend to smile less often. Fortunately, dental implants can retain your facial features, give you a reason to smile, and help you avoid looking older than you are.
- Dental Implants Maintain the Health of Your Jawbone.
Your jawbone relies on your teeth to keep them from deteriorating. It is very sensitive, and if you have missing teeth, the bone beneath will begin to demineralize. This can leave your jawbone vulnerable. Dental implants prevent this by bonding directly to the jawbone and function like a natural tooth through osseointegration. Restorative solutions that only sit on the top of gums do nothing for your jawbone, and boneless can be a result.
- Dental Implants Eliminate Embarrassment.
Many people feel embarrassed over a missing tooth. Even when going out with family and friends, a gap in your teeth can mean you smile and laugh less. Get your smile back with a dental implant and boost your self-confidence. When you fill in your missing teeth, you will feel better about yourself, and feel more comfortable when you are out and about, resulting in higher self-esteem.
- Dental Implants are Easy to Care For.
Daily maintenance of dental implants is easy, unlike dentures or partials. No need to apply sticky adhesive daily for them to stay in your mouth without slipping. Daily brushing for two minutes twice daily and flossing just as you do with natural teeth keep your dental implants looking wonderful.
- Speaking is Easier with Dental Implants
Dentures can sometimes be like having a block in your mouth and making it difficult to speak. Many people worry they will slip while speaking. When you are in public, taking out your dentures to be understood is not a popular option. Dental implants feel natural and will not cause you to mumble or slur your words. Speaking is easy, comfortable, and worry-free.
- Keep Your Teeth in Your mouth Where They Belong.
Most restorative solutions require you to typically take your teeth out to soak in a cup overnight. This prolongs the life of dentures and helps prevent bacteria build-up. It also allows gums to rest and heal. Dental implants do not require this extra work. Because they are a fixture in your mouth, you are not required to take them out for special cleaning or to care for your gums. They are just like your natural teeth.
- Enjoy All Your Favorite Foods.
Denture users struggle with giving up their favorite foods for softer options that will not damage their teeth. There is always the worry of dentures slipping when chewing or biting. With dental implants, you can enjoy all the foods you love. Like your natural teeth, it is easy to bite, chew and swallow any of your delectable favorites. Dental implants mean you can dine without worry.
- They Provide Protection for Existing Teeth.
When you lose a tooth, there are consequences. Gaps in your mouth will cause adjacent teeth to shift to close the space as much as possible. Jaw pain, swollen gums, and additional tooth loss can result. Dental implants behave like natural teeth and keep your teeth from shifting.
- Dental Implants are Successful.
Dental implants are the most successful restorative option available. 98% of all dental implants last a lifetime. Lack of dental hygiene, smoking, and chronic diabetes have been the biggest causes of most dental implant failures. Speak to your dentist about these factors before receiving a dental implant. Commitment to good dental care and regular dental visits can help you avoid the 2% margin of failure.
- The Most Reliable Solution.
If you are looking for a restorative solution that is easy to take care of, reliable and predictable, then dental implants can certainly be worth it. You avoid the worry of extra maintenance, bridgework, removable applications, and replacement costs that come with other solutions. A dental implant is a solution for a missing tooth if you want an option that behaves like a natural one.
- No Danger of Cavities
Remember when you grew up worrying about cavities at every dentist appointment? They can even cause you to lose a tooth. Dental implants are not susceptible to cavities. They look and feel like natural teeth, but because of their composition, they are not vulnerable like natural teeth. The plaque sits on the implant’s surface and has nothing to eat away at or destroy. You can still develop gum disease around the implant if you do not care for your teeth by brushing and flossing, but you can say goodbye to fillings.
- Dental Implant Costs Are At an All-time Low.
The competition among dentists to bring in more patients is great news for you. It means dental implant costs are at an all-time low. Take advantage of this competition to get the best restorative option for missing teeth. When you speak to a dentist about dental implants, make sure they include an implant post, abutment, and crown in their pricing.
- Dental Implants are for Everyone
Dental implants can be the restorative solution whether you are in your retirement years or just out of high school. If your dentist determines you are a suitable candidate, you can get one at almost any age. Children are an exception to this rule because their jawbone is not fully developed and can result in dental implant failure. Whether you are a young adult or a senior citizen, dental implants are a lifetime solution.
- They are Made of Titanium
Most dental implants use the same material used to build rockets, titanium. The titanium bonds to your jawbone flawlessly and keeps your implants secure in your mouth. It’s not rocket science, but titanium is the best material for implants, and you don’t have to travel to space for a comfortable smile.
Dr. Ben Beach and Dr. Michael Haydel are your go-to doctors for dental implants in the Shreveport, Bossier, Benton, and Greenwood areas. Call us today and set up a dental implant consultation.