Dental implants are a safe and natural-looking tooth loss solution designed to feel secure and restore your confidence. A dental implant requires your dentist to surgically place a metal fixture (called an implant) into your jaw. This fixture is topped by an artificial tooth called a crown that looks and feels like your natural teeth.
Many dental care professionals consider dental implants to be the best long-term solution for tooth loss. The titanium implant is designed to last a lifetime, and the crown placed on top can last up to 15 years with proper care. Schedule a consultation with your dentist in Port Charlotte, FL, to determine if you’re a good candidate for dental implants. Here are some benefits of dental implants:
Preserved facial structure
When you chew, bite, or clench your teeth, your teeth stimulate your jawbone, keeping it strong and healthy. When you lose a tooth, some of the pressure on the jawbone is lost, which may weaken your jaw and cause the bone to deteriorate. This deterioration is known as bone loss.
While other tooth loss solutions like partial dentures or a dental bridge can return your ability to speak and chew, they can’t stimulate your jawbone. You may still experience bone loss with these solutions. However, an implant maintains jaw stimulation and prevents bone loss. Dental implants help preserve jaw structure so you don’t lose facial fullness.
Enhanced nutrition
High-quality dental implants can allow you to eat a wider variety of meals and snacks, including tough foods. By returning your bite force and ability to chew, dental implants offer you the chance to enjoy a balanced, nutritionally rich diet. Dental implants let you enjoy nutritious but tricky foods like apples, nuts, steak, celery, etc. Implants also help you chew better. Chewing slowly helps break down your food properly and enhances healthy digestion.
Dental implants not only restore functionality but also improve your overall oral health. By filling gaps left by missing teeth, they prevent neighboring teeth from shifting out of place, maintaining the alignment and structure of your smile.
Natural look and feel
Dental implants are typically topped by crowns, bridges, or dentures. The replacements are usually customized to look exactly like natural teeth. For single implants or bridges, your dental care team will typically personalize your crowns to match the shape and color of your natural teeth so you can feel confident when you smile and speak.
In addition to their natural appearance, dental implants provide long-term durability and stability. They are designed to fuse with your jawbone, creating a secure foundation that can last for decades with proper care.
Maintained alignment
When you lose a tooth, the adjacent teeth may gradually shift into the empty space, leading to misalignment and bite problems. A single implant or implant bridge remains permanently and securely in place, effectively ensuring the adjacent teeth don’t shift or become misaligned. Dental implants can help stabilize your bite and smile. This prevents complications from misaligned teeth and ensures there’s no need for additional orthodontic treatments in the future.
Beyond preventing misalignment, dental implants help preserve jawbone density by stimulating the bone, much like natural tooth roots do. This reduces the risk of bone loss over time, maintaining the structure and strength of your jaw.
Why Dental Implants Are the Ultimate Tooth Loss Solution
Dental implants are a reliable tooth loss solution with many benefits. The costs you’ll pay can vary based on factors like the type of implant, the materials you choose, and any pre-implant treatments you may need. For example, the cost of a full-mouth dental implant will be higher than a single-tooth implant or bridge implant. Ask your dental care team about whether the treatment is covered by your insurance and any financing options.
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