Sometimes, despite a person’s best efforts, they lose a tooth or many of their teeth. This can happen from injury, old age, periodontitis, or poor oral care. In the past, missing teeth meant dentures or bridges, both of which can be harmful to existing teeth and can cause discomfort. However, with modern technology, you now have the opportunity to get dental implants.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are essentially replacements for the roots of your teeth. Once they are placed, your dentist can give you permanent or removable teeth which match your natural teeth. A dental implant gives your replacement teeth a solid foundation for these replacement teeth – which are generally made to match your existing teeth.
Benefits of Dental Implants
Implants and implant supported dentures are the next best things to natural teeth. Instead of the discomfort and inconvenience of dentures that can slide on the gums and cause speech impediments, eating difficulties, loss of taste or even pain, dental implants provide a stable foundation for your artificial teeth. There are many other benefits to getting dental implants instead of dentures. These include:
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Increased oral health:
Implants work directly with your jaw bone and existing gum structure to support your new teeth. This means you can avoid unnecessary cutting of nearby teeth (crowns and bridges) and keep healthy teeth intact. Additionally, dental implants are positioned to allow easy access between teeth, so your dentist can easily complete your normal teeth cleaning and you can keep up your oral hygiene habits.
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Convenience:
As mentioned above, older dental methods like dentures can cause a lot of inconvenience. They can move as you eat or speak, they need to be removed and cleaned and they may need adhesives to keep them in place. Dentures will not maintain the amount of bone that is below them, and will actually speed up the process of bone loss leading to future relines. All of these factors can be cumbersome and prevent users from living their normal lives. Dental implants can often be cared for like your natural teeth. They do not come out and the entire process is generally painless. Dental implants also help maintain bone level which is key to proper function and esthetics long-term.
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A better smile:
Some people become self conscious when they are missing teeth or need to use dentures. This makes them more likely to give a close-mouthed smile, instead of feeling they can express their joy with their usual, toothy grin. Dental implants give many users the confidence to let their smile shine.
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Staying power:
When cared for correctly, dental implants can last many, many years. In many cases, they can last a lifetime. Dentures need to be re-adjusted consistently due to bone loss and natural wear, but dental implants are there to stay. Bridges will always rely on the condition of the teeth supporting them which can put the entire bridge at risk should a supporting tooth need repair.
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Comfort:
Once the operation which installs the dental implant is complete, many patients feel as if they have their natural teeth once again. This is the power of dental implants. Patients who receive them are able to feel natural when eating, speaking, or simply going about everyday tasks. They don’t move like dentures and many patients forget that they have artificial teeth.
Are you ready for a pain and hassle-free smile? Here at Andersen Dental Center in Salmon Creek, you can get a free dental implant consultation! Just mention this online special when you book your appointment.
Do you want more information on dental implants? Click here and read up on how you can get a stronger, healthier smile.