Feb
6
Tooth loss can have a devastating effect on both your self-esteem and your mouth’s ability to function correctly. Whether your tooth loss was caused by smoking, injury, or disease, it’s hard to underestimate its impact; we use our mouths for everything from speaking to eating, so losing a tooth (or many teeth) can be debilitating.
For some, dental implants are the solution to tooth loss. Fitted to your jawbone and designed to mimic your natural teeth, dental implants can restore your smile, improve your oral health, and restore tooth function.
In this blog, we’re going to go over 5 reasons why you should consider dental implants, while also going into detail about the process itself, and what you can expect if you decide to opt for the procedure. Let’s take a look!
What are dental implants?
Dental implants are artificial replacements for natural teeth that are surgically inserted into the jawbone by a trained dentist. Dental implants are an effective, permanent solution for those who have suffered tooth loss or tooth erosion, and can last for many years with proper care.
5 reasons to consider dental implants
So, whether your natural teeth are damaged beyond repair, or you simply want to restore your gleaming white smile, here are 5 reasons to consider dental implants:
Confidence
One of the main reasons people choose to get dental implants is to help restore their confidence after tooth loss. This is because tooth loss doesn’t just impact your quality of life or your ability to chew and eat, it can also severely damage your self-esteem and self-image. Dental implants look just like real teeth, so whether you experienced tooth loss due to an injury, disease or decay, dental implants can restore your smile – both literally and figuratively!
Plus, dental implants have the added advantage of looking and feeling entirely natural. Unlike dentures (which can often become dislodged, and which need to be removed every night) dental implants feel like your natural teeth, so you don’t need to worry about them falling out when you bite into your favourite snacks.
Improved oral health
Dental implants also improve your oral health; this is because the implant mimics a natural tooth root, helping to stimulate the alveolar bone (jaw bone) and prevent it from deteriorating over time.
In addition to this, if your tooth loss has caused ongoing dental problems – such as discomfort or tooth decay – dental implants can restore balance to your mouth and alleviate these issues.
Durability
Unlike dentures, dental implants are designed to look and feel like natural teeth, and require minimal upkeep in order to keep them in tip-top condition. In fact, the only maintenance they need is good oral hygiene! Just like with natural teeth, you’ll simply need to brush them twice a day and keep up with your regular dental check-ups.
Plus, with dental implants, you won’t have to worry about the pain associated with loose-fitting or ill-fitting dentures. Dental implants provide a secure fit and are incredibly long-lasting, so you can enjoy a pain-free mouth for years to come.
Find out how long does the dental implant procedure take.
Restore mouth function
If you have severely damaged teeth, eating and chewing can be an uncomfortable, difficult, or even downright impossible task, and you may even notice that your speech is impaired. Dental implants work, chew, and bite just like a natural tooth would, so you can restore your ability to eat and speak with ease, as well as smile with confidence again.
Prevent further tooth loss
Did you know that having missing teeth can result in rapid tooth loss over a short period of time? Missing teeth results in damage to the gum tissue, making it easier for bacteria to spread in your mouth and for your teeth to experience decay. Chronic tooth decay can ultimately lead to further tooth loss, so by tackling this early on with dental implants, you can prevent losing your smile.
Learn how soon after tooth extraction you can get an implant.
Is it worth having dental implants?
We think so! Putting aside the obvious benefits when it comes to your confidence and your smile, dental implants are a great way to improve your oral health, especially if you’ve suffered with tooth loss over a sustained period of time.
Living with tooth loss can cause other dental problems, such as shifting teeth, gum recession, and jaw degeneration, and dental implants can help to prevent these issues from occurring or worsening over time.
Are dental implants safe?
Yes! So long as the procedure is carried out by a trained, qualified dentist, dental implants are totally safe. Like all invasive operations, there is a small risk of infection after your tooth extraction, but with appropriate aftercare, this risk is minimal.
How long do dental implants take?
If you decide to opt for dental implants, it’s important to note that it’s not a quick process; the procedure can take around 5-8 months to complete. This is because your mouth needs to recover from the extraction before any implants can be placed, and you can expect to wait anywhere from 3-6 months for it to fully heal.
Read our full article on How Long Does a Dental Implant Procedure Take.
