Despite numerous advances in dental techniques and at-home oral care, people still experience tooth loss due to decay, injury, and disease. While there are several options available for addressing the issue of damaged or missing teeth, many people opt for dental implants as a long-term solution.
Dental implants are fixtures surgically attached to your jawbone through your gums to act as an artificial tooth root. A dental crown is then mounted onto these fixtures to replace a missing tooth. Over time, the jawbone heals over the implanted root in a process called osseointegration, which provides more stability during speaking or eating.
Because dental implants are titanium posts, they are much more durable than other dental restorations. However, while implants can support more weight, you should still be cautious of eating hard foods and avoid using your teeth to open packages or chew on inanimate objects.
Whether you've only lost one tooth or need an entire row replaced, dental implants can provide a solution for your oral health needs. In addition, because of implants' strength and structural integrity, you won't require a separate implant for each tooth. Even if you require an entire row to be restored, your replacements can be supported by as few as four implants in an all-on-4 treatment.
Because dental implants are attached to your jawbone, they present a permanent solution with a higher success rate than any other restorative procedure. Other tooth replacement options such as traditional dentures or bridges may need to be replaced or recrafted over time. However, while implants may need to be adjusted occasionally, with proper care and regular dental visits they won't need to be replaced.
Despite the general association of major dental work with pain, the dental implant procedure is minimally invasive and far less painful than you may think. The process of receiving implants is so streamlined that it is now done with a local anesthetic to numb the area. Once the anesthetic wears off, you may experience gum sensitivity and irritation, but it's nothing that you can't handle with over-the-counter pain relievers.
Some forms of restorative dental work require the support of the healthy teeth around the affected tooth. This support typically comes after changing the teeth by filing them down or even removing sections of them. However, because dental implants are a standalone solution, they don't require any alterations to the surrounding teeth for support.
Because dental implants are designed to function exactly like your natural teeth, you won't have to make any drastic changes to your oral hygiene routine. Brush twice a day, floss daily, and visit your dentist regularly. Because they are not removable, you don't have to worry about soaking them in any solutions or keeping them out while you sleep, eat, play sports, or engage in activities.
Missing or damaged teeth can affect the appearance of your jaw and mouth, making your face appear sunken. With dental implants, you can easily maintain the appearance of your natural smile, which helps retain the natural shape of your face.
In terms of restorative dental work, implants have a success rate of 98%, which is the highest rating of any modern-day dental procedure. When cared for properly, dental implants will last for a lifetime. Meanwhile, removable dentures and bridgework have to be updated every 10-15 years. Even if the restorative tooth attached to the implant wears out or breaks, the implant beneath it will continue to last.
Dental implants are meant to remain firmly in place, like your natural teeth, so you can eat and speak as you usually would. There is no need to worry about clicking or shifting the way you may have to with removable forms of restorative dentistry. Also, with implants, you can eat anything that you would eat with your natural teeth.
When you lose a tooth, the jaw under it no longer has anything to support. This lack of stimulation can lead to bone resorption. As the bone recedes it leaves your jaw vulnerable to damage that will put your dental health at rist. With dental implants attached directly to your jaw, you can provide your bones with the stimulation they need to prevent bone loss.
There are many benefits to dental implants. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Jeffery Kesecker and his team at Legacy Surgery to see if you are a good candidate for dental implants. A board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Kesecker prioritizes patient care and comfort while offering the latest oral surgery advancements. So, if you want a bright and confident smile, contact us and put your confidence in Legacy Surgery.
