Dental implants are an effective and permanent solution to missing teeth. They offer a wide range of benefits, and can even improve your overall health.
They stimulate new bone growth and prevent bone loss. They also help preserve the natural shape of your lower jaw and face.
1. Stimulates Bone Growth
Dental implants are a great option to replace missing teeth and provide a long-lasting artificial tooth replacement. They offer many benefits that are not available with other restorations, such as bridgework or dentures, because they replace the missing tooth root and stimulate bone growth in the jaw.
Dental implant dentists often use a process called guided tissue regeneration to regenerate bone at the site of an extraction or other tooth loss. This can improve the outcome of dental implant treatment, especially in patients with low bone density, says U of T Dentistry professor Michael Glogauer.
A key challenge in restoring teeth using dental implants is that they must be inserted into the jawbone, which must have sufficient bone to anchor the titanium screw. If there isn’t enough bone to support the implant, the screws will fail and the patient will need a new restoration or dental surgery.
This is because dental implants act like a natural tooth’s roots, putting pressure on the underlying jawbone to stimulate it to grow new bone cells. Without this stimulus, the bone deteriorates and shrinks over time.
If this happens, the neighboring teeth can tilt toward the empty space, which can change your facial shape and make you look older and sunken in. In addition, wearing a denture can accelerate bone resorption and increase the likelihood of infecting the adjacent teeth with gum disease.
Luckily, there is hope for better dental implant outcomes in the future, thanks to a dual approach that involves an osteoporosis drug conjugate and a biodegradable bone graft system. The U of T Dentistry research team teamed up with Mesentec to develop a drug-graft combination that could help coax the body into building back lost bone, thereby boosting long-term implant success.
2. Prevents Bone Loss
Unlike dentures or bridges, which only replace the space where the tooth was removed, dental implants anchor into the jaw bone. This allows them to stimulate the bone as you chew, preventing atrophy and keeping it strong.
Aside from preventing bone loss, dental implants also help keep your smile looking beautiful and youthful. Bone deterioration that occurs due to missing teeth can cause a sunken face with the lower part of the face and chin becoming closer to the nose, making you look older than you really are.
In addition, gaps left by a missing tooth can create an environment for bacteria to grow, causing gum disease. Aside from this, the area where the missing tooth used to be can become destabilized and lead to surrounding teeth shifting into the empty space.
While bone grafts can be performed before a dental implant is placed, the best approach is to prevent this bone resorption from occurring in the first place. This is why socket preservation (a common procedure prior to a dental implant) or dental implants should be performed soon after tooth loss.
If a bone graft is not necessary, then a radiograph can be taken of the area to assess the amount of bone available for a dental implant. If it is not enough to support a dental implant, then your dentist may recommend a bone graft from a stronger section of the jaw, such as the chin or hip.
If you have missing teeth and are experiencing symptoms of bone resorption, contact McCue Dental Health in Wauwatosa to find out whether or not dental implants can restore your smile. Our team is happy to answer any questions you have and discuss your options!
3. Preserves Natural Tooth Tissue
Unlike traditional bridgework, dental implants preserve natural tooth tissue by not removing any healthy teeth from the jaw. This is important because biological teeth keep the bone in your mouth stimulated and strong. Without these tooth roots, bone begins to deteriorate.
Because dental implants are made of titanium, they can be safely placed in your jaw and fuse with the surrounding bone over time. This process is known as osseointegration. This ensures the implant is completely secure and will remain stable for many years to come.
It’s also important to note that the titanium used in implants is biocompatible, meaning that your body can easily accept it. As long as you practice good oral hygiene, your implants should last a lifetime.
If you’re missing a single tooth, or several teeth, then dental implants are the best option for restoring your smile. They’re a permanent alternative to bridgework, and they can even replace a full set of teeth ( View Examples).
As mentioned earlier, dental implants are made out of titanium, which is a very strong and durable material. It’s also biocompatible and can fully integrate with your bone, creating a solid foundation for a replacement tooth.
In most cases, this procedure can be performed under local anesthesia or sedation medication. Afterward, you should be able to chew and bite normally without pain or discomfort.
If you’re suffering from missing teeth, contact our office to schedule a consultation to find out if dental implants are right for you. We’ll help you discover how these restorations can improve your smile and preserve your natural teeth.
4. Improves Chewing
If you have been missing one or more teeth, dental implants can help restore your ability to chew. Whether you are a single tooth loss patient or need to replace an entire arch, dental implants look and feel just like natural teeth and can provide between 70 and 90 percent of your chewing capacity.
Unlike removable dentures, which are not designed to provide full chewing capability, implant-supported bridges and dentures can be fixed in place so you can enjoy the foods you love without the discomfort of slipping or clicking. This is because they are anchored directly to your jawbone, which provides stability and makes it easier for you to eat a variety of foods.
This means that you can eat all the healthful, substantial foods that you once enjoyed and maintain your overall nutritional well-being as well. If you have lost teeth due to accidents, decay or gum disease, dental implants can be a great option for you.
The first step is to complete a comprehensive examination, including X-rays and 3D images of your jawbone and teeth. During this process, our oral surgeon will determine whether you are a good candidate for implants and prepare a treatment plan for your specific needs.
When it comes to dental implants, our team is dedicated to providing a safe, durable, and long-lasting solution that will be a healthy part of your life for years to come. During the planning process, our oral surgeon will work with other specialists such as an orthodontist, periodontist, and prosthodontist to ensure that you receive an ideal restoration that is right for your individual dental needs.
For more information about the benefits of dental implants, contact our office today. Our oral surgeon will be happy to answer any questions you may have and schedule your consultation.
5. Improves Speech
Dental implants can significantly improve your speech pattern and make it easier to speak clearly. This is because they are a permanent replacement for missing teeth that will not slip or move around in the mouth. They can also be fixed into the jawbone for added stability and support.
Dentures are an affordable tooth replacement option, but they often do not improve your speech pattern as much as dental implants. They may not fit well and slip, and they can cause you to mumble or slur your words as you speak.
If you are missing a few or all of your teeth, the damage to the jaw can lead to further issues with speech. These issues can affect your ability to communicate with others and may even impact your self-esteem.
A recent study published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery found that dental implants can help to improve your speech patterns. The researchers examined 30 patients who underwent restorative work for missing teeth with an All-On-4 implant-supported full arch.
They found that patients who had all-on-4 dental implants had better speech patterns than those who had traditional dentures. This study suggests that dental implants are a more effective solution than other alternatives when it comes to improving speech and helping patients boost their confidence levels.
Dentures, on the other hand, can slip and become unreliable over time. These issues can lead to slurring or mumbling during conversation, which can negatively impact your ability to communicate with others.