Replacing missing teeth not only creates a healthy smile that boosts your confidence level, but it is also beneficial for the structure of your mouth and face. Missing teeth cause many problems such as teeth drifting and bone loss and can subdue the quality of life. Teeth drifting is a phenomenon in which the natural teeth tend to shift its position as it finds space in the mouth caused by the missing tooth. Shifting can leave excessive space between teeth and can even make the teeth crooked that affects the shape of your jaws and cheek. Also, larger food particles could stick between the gaps of teeth.
Leaving gaps for a long time due to tooth loss can cause bone loss because of a long time lack of contact in the affected areas due to the absence of chewing and stimulation. Your bone can diminish and change the facial contour and shape. It can dent your confidence as it can happen if you hate showing your teeth when you smile. There will be an overall feeling of awkwardness and embarrassment, which can rob you of the joy of living a happy life. To address the problems that can arise from missing teeth, replacing it with a dental implant is the most practical solution. By consulting an implant dentist Las Vegas you can fix a dental implant in the gap created by the missing tooth that looks like a natural tooth and lasts for many years.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is an artificial tooth but quite different from the artificial tooth used for dentures because of its sophisticated construction by using high-end technology. In other words, it is a high-tech replacement tooth that recreates the entire tooth structure and not the crown only. The root of the tooth is made of titanium that the dentist will inset into the bone, and it can efficiently support a crown, denture, and bridge. Not only are the looks real, but dental implants function in the same way as a natural tooth and with proper care can last your lifetime.
Who can have dental implants?
Do you have broken or cracked teeth that are beyond repair? Have you lost your tooth due to decay or any other dental problem or in an accident? You can think about using dental implants to restore the lost tooth. Those who are using dentures or dental bridges but find it uncomfortable can benefit by trying out dental implants. Certain health conditions and habits or insufficient bones used to be the reasons for dentists advising against the use of dental implants. But things have now changed due to the advancement in diagnostics and technology that allows bone reconstruction. As a result, more people can now have dental implants.
Benefits of dental implants
Let’s take a look at some of the benefits:
As good as natural tooth– Dental implants not only look like a natural tooth but functions like it too because it can fully restore your chewing power. However, most patients cannot tell if they are using implants or their natural teeth, such as the comfort they derive from it. Eating, brushing, flossing – all activities can continue in the same way as you would be doing when you had your natural teeth.
Long life – Dental bridges of the best quality have a lifespan of about 10 years, but dental implants can last much longer and may last your lifetime. Titanium used for making dental implants is a bio-compatible material that perfectly integrates with the jawbone, and being non-toxic, the body can tolerate it very well. Dental implants are powerful tooth replacements that are by far the nearest thing to having natural teeth.
Prevents bone loss – The space created by a missing tooth can adversely affect the jawbone in that area, and lack of stimulation can result in bone loss. Leaving a single gap in the gum for a year can lead to so much bone loss that the area of the space shrinks by 25% in volume. Over the years, bone loss continues, and even dentures can accelerate bone loss as it can become loose and rub against the bony ridge that keeps gradually wearing away. As dental implants replicate the complete tooth structure, including the root and restore normal chewing, it creates natural stimulation of the gums that facilitates bone growth.
Dental implants lend stability to adjacent teeth–When there is a gap created by missing teeth, the adjacent tooth tends to shift towards the gap in a crooked manner. Known as tooth drifting, the tooth shifts its position and can affect your bite as well as your ability to chew and your facial appearance. If the gap remains for long, the crooked tooth can cause interference that can make tooth replacement difficult later. A poor bite can cause headache and pain because of issues with your temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Prevent gum disease – Dental implants not only replace missing teeth most naturally but also prevent the possibilities of developing gum disease due to the deposition of food particles and bacteria in the gap that can happen if the gap remains exposed for a long time.
Prevent premature ageing – Missing teeth leads to bone loss in gums and change the facial architecture that causes facial sagging. In the process, the lower third of the face begins collapsing, thereby gradually reducing the distance between the chin and the nose. It can result in excess wrinkles around the mouth, and the chin becomes more pointed besides thinning the lips. All such changes make the person look much older than their age.
Among all other teeth replacement options, dental implants done with care and by experts have a high survival rate. And it keeps improving as the technology is progressing very fast. Although people with not so good health can try dental implants, the success rate of healthy people is very high. Dental implants give back your smile, and you will feel better about yourself.
Whether you replace a single tooth of a few teeth, dental implants are the perfect solution and showcase the advancement in dental science. Book yourself a consultation with the dentist in Grand Blanc to get yourself checked out and treated, you are just one step closer to that perfect smile.