According to Webmed, as many as 120 million Americans have at least one missing tooth. Dental implants are an advanced tooth replacement option that provides a long-term solution for missing teeth. Replacing your teeth as soon as you lose them is essential to avoid further tooth loss and other complications like shifting teeth and loss of bone density.
When you consult your dentist about missing teeth complications, the dentist can recommend several alternatives to replace your teeth, including dentures, bridges, and implants. Recently, dental implants have become popular among patients with missing teeth.
Familiarizing yourself with dental implants' benefits and the reasons for their popularity helps you determine whether they are a solution for your dental issues. Some of the reasons why dental implants are a popular tooth replacement option include the following:
Dental Implants Prevent Bone Loss
When you lose your tooth through extraction or trauma, the jawbone below the missing tooth will not be stimulated by the biting or chewing forces. The lack of bone stimulation results in a condition known as bone resorption. This occurs when the bone deteriorates and the bone density is reduced. Studies show that dental implants prevent jawbone deterioration after tooth loss.
Your body will recognize that the jawbone below the missing tooth does not serve any purpose in supporting teeth. Therefore, the body will gradually resorb the bone tissues, causing them to shrink. Bone resorption can cause several complications, including difficulty chewing your food or speaking, facial sagging, and continued tooth loss.
When you undergo a dental implant procedure, a titanium screw is attached to your jawbone, and it fuses with the bone through osseointegration. This lets the implant firmly attach to the bone and act as a natural tooth. As the implant fuses with the jawbone, it offers the stimulation that results from chewing and biting. This helps maintain the density and health of your jawbone.
After the dental implant, the forces exerted on the restoration when you chew your food will be transmitted into the jawbone. If your jawbone has begun to deteriorate when you undergo a dental implant procedure, the stimulation can trigger the growth of a new bone. With dental implants, you will not need to worry about facial sagging, shifting of your natural teeth, or other dental complications.
Dental Implants are Durable Tooth Restorations
Undergoing regular dental procedures can be nerve-wracking. The risk of developing complications and anticipating the procedure's outcome could be intimidating. Therefore, you want a tooth replacement option that is durable. The popularity of dental implants has increased significantly due to their durability.
When you correctly care for your implants, they can serve you for up to forty years without the need for replacement. While dental implants offer a long-term solution for missing teeth, their lifespan will vary depending on the following factors:
Quality of the Implants
Depending on your budget and desired outlook, dental implants can be made from different materials. Using high-quality materials could increase the lifespan of your dental implants. The materials you choose for your implants should be solid and withstand the daily pressure of biting and chewing.
In addition to choosing suitable quality materials, you must have a competent oral surgeon who can effectively perform the dental implant procedure. A reliable professional can assess your oral health condition and determine whether implants suit it.
Oral Hygiene Practices
While dental implants can replace the teeth you lose through dental diseases or trauma, prevention of dental complications is better than undergoing extensive treatment procedures. Good oral hygiene is critical to maintaining dental implants and increasing their lifespan.
Good oral hygiene practices include regular brushing and flossing of your teeth. These practices help prevent the buildup of plaque and tartar, which could cause gum disease and implant failure.
After your dental implant procedure, your dentist will recommend brushing your teeth at least twice daily and using a soft-bristled toothbrush. Additionally, you will be advised to floss gently using back-and-forth motions to clean out the food particles and plaque between your teeth.
Oral Health Conditions
The long lifespan of dental implants has increased the popularity of this procedure as a solution for missing teeth. However, the procedure is only suitable for some. Having pre-existing oral health conditions can impact the lifespan of dental implants. For example, if you have gum disease, your jawbone may be weakened, making it difficult for the dental implants to fuse with the bone for a strong tooth replacement.
Additionally, if you have untreated tooth decay or cavities, the infections can cause damage to the implant and surrounding tissues. This increases the risk of implant failure.
Smoking and Alcohol Use
Smoking and alcohol use can significantly reduce the lifespan of your dental implants. Smoking will impair the blood flow to the gums, which makes it more challenging for the implant to integrate into the jawbone. This can slow down the healing process after the dental impact surgery and increase the likelihood of implant failure.
Another way in which smoking can affect the lifespan of your dental implants is by compromising their maintenance. Similarly, excessive alcohol consumption causes dehydration, which contributes to tooth decay and gum disease. Developing these conditions after a dental implant procedure could impact their durability.
Dental Implants Offer a Natural Appearance and Comfortable Fit
When you lose your teeth through an extraction, trauma, or dental disease like gum disease, your smile and the functionality of the remaining teeth could be affected. When you need to replace your missing teeth, you want a restoration that feels and looks natural. This helps you maintain a good smile and ensure that you are comfortable.
Unlike removable dentures and bridges, dental implants offer a comfortable fit, which could cause discomfort due to dislocation and misfit. This is because the dental implants are screwed directly into the jawbone, which provides a strong anchor for the replacement tooth.
In addition to a comfortable fit, dental implants are custom-made to mimic the color and shine of your natural teeth. This gives you a natural smile and makes you feel more confident. Many people with missing teeth often feel conscious when interacting with others and may have low self-esteem. However, after a dental implant procedure, you will feel more confident. For this reason, dental implants will benefit your dental health and emotional well-being.
High Success Rate
Dental implants are a highly successful replacement for missing teeth. While your dentist can suggest several options to replace your missing teeth, many people prefer dental implants because of their ability to replace them. Dental implants can be used when you miss your molars or visible front teeth.
Unlike bridges and removable dentures, which could fail to fit correctly or cause discomfort to your gums, dental implants are custom-made to properly fit the teeth, which makes their success rate high. The success rate of your dental implants may be affected by several factors, including:
- Position of the implant. Dental implants used to replace missing front teeth have a higher success rate than those used to replace missing molars. This is because the bone density is higher at the front part of your jaw than at the back part.
- A patient's age can determine the success rate of their dental implants. Studies show that the success rate for dental implants is 95% for patients under forty years old, and the percentage decreases with an increase in age.
- Bone healthy. A healthy jawbone ensures the dental implant successfully integrates with the bone.
- Surgical technique. Your chances of a successful dental implant surgery increase when you consult a knowledgeable oral surgeon. Experienced professionals will use effective techniques that reduce the risk of implant failure.
Dental Implants Do Not Develop Cavities
Dental implants are made of an artificial tooth root in the form of a titanium screw and a replacement tooth made of metal, porcelain, or ceramic. Although the implants look and function like natural teeth, they are not prone to tooth decay and cavities. When the tooth root is replaced with the titanium screw, the part of the tooth that is susceptible to decay is not present.
Many patients prefer implants over bridges and dentures because the bridges are anchored on natural teeth, which can result in cavities and damage to the remaining teeth. While the implants are not prone to cavities, you should pay attention to your oral hygiene and care after the procedure.
Implants are a Stand-Alone Dental Restoration
A key feature that makes dental implants a popular and desired solution for missing teeth is their ability to stand alone. Your dentist can recommend dental implants, whether you are missing a single or multiple teeth. Placement of the dental implant will involve attaching a titanium screw to the jawbone and anchoring an artificial tooth after osseointegration.
You will not need healthy remaining teeth to undergo dental implant surgery. Instead, your dentist will assess your oral health to ensure a healthy and stringy jawbone. Tooth replacement options like dentures and bridges are not self-contained. Instead, they will rely on the strength of the adjacent teeth for support.
The teeth that support these restorations must be filled in for effective placement of the bridges or crowns. This interferes with their structure and can result in complications like tooth sensitivity.
Dental Implants are Low-maintenance
Although proper care is necessary to ensure that your dental implants last longer, many patients opt for this type of tooth replacement due to its low maintenance. Dental implants are more manageable than other options, like bridges and removable dentures. This is because the implants are permanent and not removable. Therefore, the risk of losing them or damaging them through falls is minimal.
The technique for cleaning dental implants is similar to that of your natural teeth. Therefore, you will not need to adopt additional care practices. Some of the primary care tips that your dentist could recommend after dental implant surgery include:
Brush your Teeth Twice Daily
Brushing your teeth helps remove plaque and bacteria that could cause dental complications like tooth decay and gum disease. These dental conditions can affect the health of your implants.
Use a soft-bristled tooth-brush
Since dental implants are permanent, their care and hygiene are similar to natural teeth. Therefore, your dentist will recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid hurting your gums and damaging the implants.
Floss to Clear Plaque
Like natural teeth, you must floss your teeth regularly to dislodge food particles and remove plaque from between your teeth.
Use Antibacterial Mouthwash
Your dentist can recommend rinsing your mouth with antibacterial mouthwash after brushing your teeth. This helps remove bacteria that could cause damage to your implants.
Make Regular Dental Visits
While dental implants are artificial restorations that are not prone to decay or cavities, you can suffer other complications, including implant failure and gum disease around the implant. Therefore, you must have regular dental consultations. During these consultations, your dentist will assess your oral health for potential implant complications.
Use a Nightguard
Unlike removable dentures, which you remove while you sleep, dental implants are permanent. Therefore, the implant could be damaged if you grind or clench your teeth. Hence, wearing a mouth guard is essential to avoid implant damage.
Find Reliable Dental Services Near Me
When you have missing teeth, there are several options for replacement, including crowns, bridges, and dental implants. Each tooth replacement option offers varying benefits and is suitable under given circumstances. If you are looking for a permanent tooth replacement option that mimics the feel and outlook of your natural teeth, your dentist can recommend dental implants.
The placement of dental implants will involve screwing in an artificial tooth root and attaching an artificial tooth. You must have a healthy jawbone and gums to qualify for dental implants. In addition to their pleasant aesthetic appearance, dental implants are durable and can serve you for decades. Additionally, the implants are highly adaptable and not susceptible to cavities.
The placement of dental implants is an invasive surgical procedure with a potential for complications. At Northridge Advanced Dentistry, we offer safe and reliable dental implant services for our clients in Northridge, CA. Call us at 818-701-3010 to schedule an appointment.
