8 Things You May Not Know About Dental Implants
No one wants to lose a single tooth, let alone several or all of them. A missing tooth can make your smile look different and make you feel awkward when meeting new people. Losing several teeth is worse as your smile is obviously changed, and you may not be able to eat foods you love.
Dental implants are one of the best options for tooth replacement, but the procedure and the implants are also misunderstood by a lot of people. This is probably because most of us are more familiar with dentures. If you’ve started researching your options for tooth replacement, you may have learned a few things about dental implants already, especially about the cost and what’s involved in the procedure.
The more information you have, the better prepared you are when it’s time to make a decision about how to correct your smile. Here are a few things you might not know about dental implants.
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Implants Look Natural
Dentures tend to look unnatural and a missing tooth looks unusual when you smile. Dental implants, however, are designed and customized to look as natural as possible. They’re made to fit the natural contours of your mouth and blend in with any existing teeth you may have. No one new you meet will have any idea you have implants.
Implants Last a Long Time
As long as you take care of your dental implants, they can last a long time. The average length of time you can expect your implants to remain functional is about 20 years. In some cases, with proper maintenance, they can last the rest of your life. The upfront cost may be higher, but you receive enormous value in return.
Implants Prevent Bone Loss
When a tooth falls out or is removed, it’s not just your smile that’s affected. With no root for your bone to latch onto, your face can change and age as you lose bone. Dental implants prevent this by stimulating healthy bone growth. Your jawline will retain it’s natural appearance instead of shrinking as sometimes happens with dentures.
Implants and Bone Fuse Together
The reason your implants prevent bone loss and stimulate bone growth, as mentioned above, is due to the implant itself. The titanium post in your gum is secured in place further when the bone grows onto the implant. It’s possible for your mouth to be stronger after the implants than before if enough bone growth occurs.
Implants May Be Stronger Than Natural Teeth
Science hasn’t made up its mind yet, but some researchers believe implants may be stronger than your natural teeth. According to the Official Journal of the Academy of Osseointegration, a few implants may be able to do to the work of most of your teeth. Not that we recommend replacing all your teeth with only a few implants.
Implants Don’t Need to Replace Healthy Teeth
If you worry that needing implants mean that all your existing teeth have to be pulled, think again. As long as your remaining teeth are healthy and functional, they can work side by side with dental implants. Take care of your implants like you do your natural teeth – brush and floss daily – and your other teeth may stay healthy for the rest of your life.
Implants Sometimes Need Repairs
While dental implants can be cared for like your natural teeth, they may still need to be repaired or even replaced at some point. To extend the life of your dental implants, come in for repairs when the problem is a small one. Waiting until you’re unable to chew or you feel pain may require a bigger, more expensive fix.
Implants Are More Affordable Than You May Realize
If you look at the upfront cost of a full dental implant and compare it to dentures or doing nothing, it may seem expensive. Weigh this cost with the other costs associated with dentures. Dentures have to be replaced every 10 years or so and need special adhesive and cleaners. Your implants may last the rest of your life with your standard toothbrush and toothpaste to keep them clean.
Conclusion
Depending on the number of missing teeth you have, dental implants can seem like a complicated procedure. But here at the Dental Brothers, we believe that over your lifetime, they can also have the best longevity and be the easiest option to care for. Implants are good for the health of your bones and mouth. As long as you take care of your dental implants, they will last many years and no one will know you’re missing any of your natural teeth.
