Have you lost a tooth or teeth to tooth decay or gum disease? Or maybe in a sports injury or auto accident? Dental implants are the most effective way adults of all ages can restore the appearance and function of their smiles, no matter how they lost teeth. Dental implants can also replace damaged or lost permanent teeth for adolescents once their facial growth and development has completed — generally around age 16 for girls, and age 18 for boys.
4 Reasons to Get Dental Implants
Dental implants offer many advantages over other tooth replacement methods offered by modern dentistry such as dentures and bridges. Here are 4 reasons people get dental implants and how they can benefit your smile.
1. Dental Implants Function Like Natural Teeth
Dental implants are designed to look, feel, fit and function exactly like your natural teeth. In fact, implants feel so natural in your mouth that many patients claim they have forgotten they have them once the implant site is completely healed. With implants, you will be able to brush and floss without needing to remove your prosthetics for cleaning as you must with dentures. Dental implants also help you retain the natural shape of your mouth and face.
2. Dental Implants Last A Lifetime
Dental implants that are properly cared for can last many decades. The implant screw that serves as the root is usually made of titanium which is resistant to decay. Many other tooth replacement options such as dental bridges and dentures, may need to be entirely replaced as often as every 5 to 10 years due to wear and tear. Dental implants will need their crowns replaced every 5 to 10 years but the actual implant will remain viable.
Dental bridges require the adjacent teeth to be crowned and places the stress of supporting the replacement tooth onto them. Therefore, all three teeth will need new crowns periodically. Therefore, although implants cost more for initial placement, you will not need to pay to replace them as often as other options and you’ll spend less time in the dentist’s chair overall.
3. Implants Are Secure In Your Mouth
Your dental implant will be a titanium screw that is embedded in your jaw bone, so they will never need to be removed for cleaning and won’t slip or click when you talk, eat or laugh like dentures can. Because of this feature, you may find that your speech is more natural and you may feel more confident about smiling and eating than with dentures.
4. Implants Help Preserve and Protect Your Jawbone
Allowing empty spaces from lost teeth to remain in your mouth can lead to erosion of the jaw bone, recession of the gum tissue and teeth shifting, changing your bite and the shape of your face. The titanium roots of dental implants bond with the existing bone tissue and stimulate new growth, strengthening the implant placement and preventing the aforementioned issues. Having dental implants placed quickly after losing a tooth helps prevent bone loss at the site.
Contact AH Smiles: Brent A. Engelberg, DDS Today
If you have lost teeth for any reason and are interested in discussing if dental implants can help restore your teeth, AH Smiles in Arlington Heights, IL are ready to help. Please call us at (847) 230-9703 or schedule a consultation online today!