Allsmiles

A lost tooth or teeth can bring on personal turmoil that includes physical and emotional issues such as infection, additional tooth and bone loss, migrating teeth, low-self esteem and lack of confidence. For this reason, the benefit of dental implants are significant and can be life changing in some cases.

Teeth can be lost for many reasons: an injury, gum disease or other medical conditions and due to certain medications. The gap left behind when a tooth is lost is not only unsightly but it is prone to infection that can spread into the jaw bone and to neighboring teeth that are otherwise healthy causing them to decay and fall out too. Sometimes adjacent teeth will move sideways or into a crooked position because the missing is no longer there providing support.

Additionally, tooth loss can instigate or inflame psychological issues and cause the sufferer to withdraw and not seek out social and professional opportunities due to embarrassment from the physical appearance of the tooth gap. In many cases, tooth loss can cause significant speech impediments that previously did not exist.

Dental implants are a structurally sound way to replace the missing tooth and restore the oral area to its previous stature. Other options for replacing a lost tooth, such as removable dentures, have draw backs including discomfort and inconvenience. Dentures also are unable to match the natural appearance of artificial teeth anchored with a dental implant. Dentures can also come out, a problem not experienced with dental implants that promote active lifestyles where oral concerns are not an issue.

Dental implants are small metal rods – usually titanium – that act as an artificial root that is screwed into the jaw to which a replacement tooth can be affixed. Modern artificial teeth are very natural looking and are available with color matching to existing teeth. The result of a dental implant procedure is a renovated smile that adds to the owner’s health and well-being. In addition, dental implants are comfortable and don’t impede normal chewing or talking the way dentures can.

The process of inserting a dental implant for tooth restoration is conducted under general anesthesia and is relatively painless. Discomfort during the recovery period is controlled with medication if need be. This means the return on investment with dental implants is high and the risk low. Dental implant surgery is frequently covered by medical insurance which also makes it a cost effective investment.

The long-term benefits of dental implants can only be realized with continued and regular dental hygiene practices. Proper brushing and flossing should be part of a daily regime. If this is done, dental implants can last for a decade or more.

Dental implants have wide ranging benefits that can help many of those people who have suffered tooth loss. However, dental implants won’t be appropriate for all people. People who drink or smoke excessively or who have certain serious medical conditions, dental implants won’t be a possibility. But for many – if not most – tooth loss cases, the benefits of dental implants are numerous in comparison to alternative treatment options.