Dental Implants: Beyond Cosmetic Appeal

If you've lost a tooth or are in the process of having one removed, dental implants could be your best bet when it comes to finding a suitable replacement. While nothing can exactly replace your natural tooth, this application is about as close as science is likely to come in giving you everything you lost. Unlike a partial denture, which pops in and out at the user's discretion, these applications are rooted directly into the jaw, giving the patient the stability and permanency of a natural tooth. The benefits to a replacement of this nature go beyond simple cosmetics and offer the patient something much more.

Positive Health Benefits

The worst part of losing a tooth isn't always the missing tooth itself. Unfortunately, your teeth form a kind of network in your mouth. When a piece of that network is lost, it can have a damaging effect on the rest of your smile. Your other teeth will try to fill in the gap as the bone that used to hold the tooth in place begins to soften and degrade. Before you know it, your once perfect smile is a jumble of crooked teeth suitable for orthodontic work. Dental implants avoid this problem by giving the jaw something to grip, allowing it to continue to perform its important function and preventing a shift in your teeth.

No Additional Care

Dentures come with a long list of hassles when it comes to caring for them properly. You have to take them out at night, store them in a cleaning solution, and you may need to remove partials to eat comfortably. Dental implants, on the other hand, require only that you give them the same care that you provide for the rest of your teeth. Brushing, flossing, and mouthwash will all be suitable ways to clean the replacement, making it much easier on the patient. Best of all, there is no chance of your replacement forming a painful cavity.

Rarity

Don't be discouraged if your current dentist doesn't offer dental implants. Only around 10% of offices offer this service to their patients. Dentists are much more likely to push you towards a partial denture, a root canal, or something else. This may convince you that these are the best options, but in reality you could be missing out on your best option due to scarcity. Look in your local directory and find a dentist that offers the solution you'd like for your teeth. While you may end up going in another direction, you should at least be allowed to consider all of the possibilities before making a decision.