Did you know that over two billion people worldwide suffer from dental issues? It could be permanent tooth loss, decay, or gum disease.
Having oral health issues is never fun because you lose confidence in your smile and appearance. They can be even harder to combat when you’re unsure how to deal with the problem.
If you’re missing a tooth, your best bet is to replace it right away with a dental implant procedure. Not only will it improve your smile, but it also comes with various health benefits. We’ll provide further insight below.
What Is a Dental Implant Procedure?
Dental implants are replacement teeth that act and feel like an original tooth. To start, a dentist places you under a local anesthetic, numbing the area so you don’t feel any pain through the operation.
A titanium root gets placed into the jawbone to replace the missing tooth and support bridges or crowns. After the procedure, your jawbone will gradually fuse with the tooth and hold the implant in place.
They’re a great option if you’re missing one or multiple teeth and don’t want to use full or partial dentures. However, you’ll need to have a strong jawbone and gums for the operation to succeed.
Types of Dental Implants
There are different types of dental implants that you can avail of. First, there are endosteal implants, which use abutments to hold the artificial teeth in place.
Next are subperiosteal implants. Instead of using screws, a metal base gets fitted under your gum tissue but on your jawbone. Dentists won’t use these unless you have a shallow jawbone that won’t support endosteal implants.
Lastly, there are full-mouth dental implants. These are an alternative to dentures, which can replace your top or bottom set of teeth. More information is available at https://www.bridgedentalsmiles.co.uk/treatments/dental-implants/.
Benefits of a Dental Implant Procedure
Now that you’re aware of dental implants and the different types, we need to discuss how your oral health can benefit. You know they act like natural teeth and can give you your smile back. But their benefits also include:
1. Preventing Further Tooth Loss
All of our teeth are held in place by roots and surrounding teeth. But when we lose one, our teeth become crooked because they lean towards the open space.
As a result, it starts affecting our bite and ability to chew. That’s why it’s essential to replace missing teeth as soon as possible to prevent this from happening.
2. Lasting a Lifetime
When some people lose teeth, they opt for dental bridges because it’s a simple procedure that helps replace teeth quickly. However, they have a short lifespan, and you’ll need to have routine procedures to keep them in place.
You won’t have that problem with dental implants. They’re made from titanium and integrate with your jawbone easily, so no further procedures are necessary. However, you’ll need to take care of them properly to avoid issues.
3. Improving Speech
Losing teeth doesn’t only affect your smile, but it can also affect the way you talk. Gaps in your teeth can cause a lisp, while dentures can slip around in your mouth if not appropriately secured.
When implants get placed in your mouth, they act like natural teeth. So you’ll be able to talk to family and friends as if you never had a dental issue in the first place.
4. Preventing Jawbone Deterioration
A healthy jawbone means having healthy tooth roots to provide stimulation. But when you lose a tooth, that stimulation goes away, and your body will start to reabsorb your jawbone to compensate.
Dental implants ensure your jawbone gets the stimulation it needs since it acts as a natural tooth. As a result, you won’t need to worry about its strength or further dental issues.
5. Increasing Nutrition
Unfortunately, losing teeth can affect your nutrition too. If you’ve lost a tooth, you’ve probably avoided certain foods because of their density and the pain they can cause while chewing.
Using dental implants can give you the ability to foods that have the proper nutrients for jawbone health. Without them, you’ll have an unbalanced diet, further hurting your oral health.
6. Thwarting Cavities
No one loves getting cavities. Whenever we see one, we automatically assume it’s because of sweets or improper oral care. However, cavities also stem from missing teeth.
Remember, when you lose a tooth, the other teeth gradually get crooked to cover the open space. But it also leads to further tooth decay and plaque buildup, increasing the chance of having cavities.
7. Preventing Facial Sagging
One of the significant impacts of tooth loss is facial sagging. Whenever a tooth is missing and is unreplaced for an extended period, your face starts to sag to accommodate the loss.
You’ll notice that the distance between your chin and nose will be closer. Also, wrinkles will form around your mouth, and your lips will thin, making you look a lot older than you actually are.
8. Limiting Gum Diseases
A missing tooth may not be high on your list because it’s only one tooth. However, that gap in your teeth can cause bacteria to get trapped in your mouth and cause issues like periodontitis.
It’s a condition that damages the soft tissue in your gum. If it’s left untreated for too long, it can damage the bones that support your teeth. While common, you can prevent it by getting a dental implant procedure as soon as you lose a tooth.
Use Dental Implants To Get Your Smile Back Today
As you can see, a dental implant procedure comes with various oral health benefits. Visit your local dentist today and see which implants are right for you. You’ll have your smile and confidence back in no time.
If you’re interested in other cosmetic dentistry content, feel free to check out our blog.
