If you’re considering a dental implant to replace a missing tooth, you’ve probably got many questions you need answering. Are you a suitable candidate? Are they the best option for you? Will they look natural? To help answer these questions and give you all the information that you need, we’ve put together what we consider to be the top advantages of dental implants. But first of all, let’s start by looking at what a dental implant is and who is a suitable candidate.
What is a dental implant?
A dental implant is a highly-sophisticated tooth-replacement system that copies the entire tooth structure. A titanium ‘root’ is surgically inserted into the jaw bone and used to support a crown, bridge or denture.
Who are candidates for dental implants?
If you’re missing one or more teeth or you have teeth that are broken or badly decayed and beyond 
repair, dental implants are often the answer. If you’re struggling to keep a grip on your dentures or you feel uncomfortable wearing a bridge or partial denture, you could also benefit from the latest dental implant technology.
Dental implants have become the ‘go-to’ treatment for teeth replacement because of the advantages they have over earlier treatments. Moreover, with improved diagnostics and bone construction, patients with thinning bone or certain health conditions who may previously have been excluded from receiving implants, are now able to have this lifechanging procedure.
So, what are the advantages of dental implants, what makes them so special? Well, let’s take a look.
The Benefits of Dental Implants
A dental implant looks just like a natural tooth
Once an implant is fitted with a prosthetic tooth, i.e. a dental crown, it looks completely natural. Not only is the crown colour matched to the surrounding teeth for a seamless smile, but it also fits flush to the gum line so nobody will be able to tell the restoration apart from your natural teeth.
Implants behave like natural teeth
Perhaps, the biggest advantage of dental implants is that they restore a person’s ability to chew. Dental implants have been known to restore practically all of a person’s biting pressure which means they can eat any foods they like from crunchy apples to succulent steaks and everything in between. For denture wearers, they often have to adapt to a soft food diet, so this is a tremendous benefit that can improve their nutritional intake.
A dental implant helps prevent bone loss
One of the side effects of losing a tooth is that the bone around it starts to diminish. This is because there is no longer a tooth root present to stimulate it and keep it strong and healthy. Moreover, if a dental implant isn’t placed within the first year of tooth loss, a staggering 25% of bone volume can be lost and this continues over the years.
Dentures can also cause bone loss to speed up as often, they loosen and start to rub on the bony ridge, causing further erosion. Because a dental implant replaces both a tooth and its root, chewing is restored to normal and provides the stimulation needed for the bone’s natural growth.
A dental implant keeps adjacent teeth stable
When there is a gap in the smile caused by a missing tooth, the adjacent teeth tend to drift towards it, often resulting in crooked teeth which affect the bite as well as your appearance and ability to chew.
This can lead to issues that make tooth replacement more complex and difficult at a later date. Some people may find that a poor bite leads to problems with their temporomandibular joint (TMJ) which can in turn cause headaches and pain. A dental implant restores the gap and prevents natural teeth from drifting.
Implants preserve the facial structures
Another of the advantages of dental implants is that they help prevent the sagging that often occurs as a result of bone loss caused by a missing tooth or teeth. The lower portion of the face starts to collapse causing thinning lips, excessive wrinkles around the mouth, and a more pointed chin, which makes a person look far older than they are. An implant will permanently complete the smile and preserve the facial structure.
Eliminates health issues associated with missing teeth
Did you know that improving your oral health also improves your overall health? It’s true.
Dental implants help to create a healthier mouth by closing the gaps that can trap bacteria and cause infection thereby helping to reduce the risk of periodontal disease. Without treatment, periodontal disease will only get worse and can lead to bone and tooth loss. It’s also associated with other conditions such as heart disease, strokes, Alzheimer’s, diabetes and other chronic conditions.
Implants immediately improve the health of the mouth. Since they mimic natural teeth, they’re cared for in a similar way with brushing, flossing and regular dental check-ups. With regular maintenance, patients can look forward to a happy healthy smile that has the potential to last their lifetime.
Restore self-confidence
Tooth loss and wearing dentures for long periods of time can both have a negative effect on a person’s confidence. It can make them feel self-conscious about smiling, while denture wearers fear the embarrassment of their dentures moving when they’re talking or laughing. With implants or dental implant-retained dentures, patients won’t have this problem. Since they’re anchored securely into the jaw bone, a person can go about their day with a confident smile.
If you’d like to know more about the advantages of dental implants and how they could benefit you, why not book an appointment with the experienced dental team at No Gaps Dental. We provide high-quality implants at competitive prices and also offer a variety of payment options and finance plans. Give us a call today at (02) 8806 0227.
Note: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.
