Why Choose Dental Implants to Replace Missing Teeth?

People who have lost teeth after sports injuries, accidents or periodontal disease face the choice of using dentures and bridges to repair their smile or a dental implant. Dental implants can be used in a variety of situations. They anchor into the jawbone so that the implant actually becomes part of your jaw just like natural teeth.

According to dental industry groups, about 70 percent of adults in the U.S. aged 35 to 44 have at least one missing tooth. If you are a candidate for dental implants instead of dentures, there are many benefits to replacing teeth with implants.

Dr. Petry and Dr. Walton suggest that you consider these 7 reasons to choose dental implants as the solution for your missing teeth:

1. Maintains jawbone strength

Most people don’t realize that tooth loss also means bone loss. The jawbone near the lost tooth will shrink or lose its strength if there’s a gap or dentures above it. Titanium implants can help that part of your bone get the same ‘exercise’ as the rest of your jaw, keeping it strong and healthy.

2. Improves your smile

Missing teeth can be distracting to the people you talk to. As a result, the looks you get can make you uncomfortable talking to new people and can interfere with social or career opportunities. The materials used in implanted replacement teeth can be dyed and shaped to match the rest of your smile. Most people will never know you have them.

3. Maintains a More Youthful Appearance

If you lose jawbone strength and size, you can start to look different even before you smile or speak to someone. Maintaining the health and size of your jawbone can help maintain a younger-looking profile and face shape. Skin that is looser because of less bone shape can give you premature wrinkles around the mouth, not to mention the difficulty of talking with dentures in your mouth

4. Chew properly

Missing teeth and loose dentures can keep you from eating your favorite healthier foods. Many dentures have been defeated by carrots, apples and other crisp foods. In fact, dentures only provide about 20% of the chewing force of natural, healthy teeth. Dental implants can let you bite and chew on your favorite fruits and veggies.

5. More comfortable

Dentures have certainly improved over the years. However, dentures can still slip while you talk or eat, leading to embarrassing and stressful social situations. Since dental implants are anchored directly to the jawbone, there’s no risk of slips or falling out.

6. Keeps the rest of your mouth healthier

Bridges can sometimes require filing down the neighboring teeth you still have. With dental implants, your neighboring teeth are usually left alone. In fact, those teeth will benefit from having a new neighbor that is able to share the load when chewing. Maintained jaw bone health will also help keep the rest of your natural teeth healthier too.

7. Can last a lot longer than alternatives

With good oral hygiene and care, dental implants can last forever, creating a lasting impact on your physical and emotional well-being.

Replacement teeth and dental implants are not a substitute for taking great care of the teeth that you already have. But if you’ve already lost a tooth, Dr. Petry and Dr. Walton can help you find out if you’re a candidate for dental implants. Contact us today for an appointment.