10 Benefits of Dental Implants

If you’ve lost a tooth from decay, gum disease, or an injury, you’re not alone. An estimated 178 million Americans are missing at least one of their teeth. While there are a few options for filling in the space left behind after a tooth is extracted, dental implants remain the most innovative solution for missing teeth.

A dental implant consists of a post that is embedded into the jawbone and a crown portion which is the part that looks like a tooth and sits at the gum line. Once they’re secured in place, it’s very hard to tell the difference between them and natural teeth. Here are ten amazing benefits of dental implants to help you decide if they’re right for you.

1. They Look Like Natural Teeth

One of the top benefits of dental implants is that they look exactly like natural teeth. In fact, when you smile and talk, it’s impossible for anyone looking at them to tell that they’re artificial. Dr. Eshom will match the shade of the crown portion of the implant to the rest of your natural teeth so the implant blends in seamlessly.

2. They Feel Like Natural Teeth

Dental implants feel remarkably like natural teeth. In fact, you can’t even feel the post in your jawbone. And when you glide your tongue over a dental implant’s crown portion, it feels as smooth as your natural teeth.

3. They Function Like Natural Teeth

Dental implants allow you to chew food, speak clearly, and smile wide, just like your natural teeth can. You can bite into your favorite food and enjoy eating meals.

4. They Prevent Other Teeth From Shifting

When a tooth has to be extracted, the surrounding teeth often pay the price as they move and shift out of place. This can lead to additional dental work later on. A dental implant provides the same support that the missing tooth did, so teeth on either side of it and above it won’t shift.

Dental implants also help preserve the bone in your jaw, because once a tooth is pulled the bone that surrounded it starts to shrink away. Getting a dental implant done soon after a tooth is removed helps preserve the jawbone.

5. They Help You Chew Better

Missing teeth can make it difficult to chew and enjoy food and can make you favor chewing on one side of your mouth more than the other. Over time, this can weaken the muscles in the mouth area and cause your smile and the way you speak to look asymmetrical.

Dental implants help you comfortably chew food using both sides of your mouth and retain even muscle strength for a symmetrical smile.

6. They Boost Your Confidence

Nothing can hurt one’s self-esteem more than a poor smile, or one that is visibly missing teeth. Dental implants can greatly improve one’s confidence in all areas of their life so they feel ready to take on the world.

7. They Can’t Get Cavities

Because dental implants aren’t made of natural tooth material, they can’t get tooth decay. You’ll never need to worry about needing a filling or any other kind of dental work for one.

8. They Don’t Stain Easily

Dental implants tend not to get stained like natural teeth do. Because they’re made from an artificial material, they’re more resistant to stain-causing foods and drinks such as red wine, coffee, blueberries, and more. While natural teeth also tend to get more yellow as we age, dental implants can retain more of their original shade.

This also means that teeth whitening treatments and products have no effect on them. You’ll still need to brush and floss them to help keep them looking shiny and bright.

9. The Procedure mostly Painless

Despite the fact that having a dental implant placed is a form of oral surgery, the actual procedure is not as painful as you think. Many patients report that it’s no more uncomfortable than getting a filling.

Your dentist or oral surgeon will administer a local anesthetic to completely numb the area where the implant will be placed and if available, offer sedation dentistry. After the bone is allowed to fill in the area around the post (which can take about three months) Dr. Eshom will take an impression to create the crown part of the implant and place it.

If you smoke, it’s advisable to quit for a period of time before the implant procedure, as smoking can affect proper blood flow and it may take longer for the area to heal.

10. With Proper Care, They Can Last a Lifetime

Dental implants can stay securely in your jawbone for as long as you live, but you do need to take good care of them and stay diligent about your oral care routine. Flossing thoroughly around the implant is important to help prevent food particles from getting caught in between your gums and the implant.

You’ll also need to brush your implant using a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste just as you would natural teeth. Flossing all of your teeth daily and seeing your dentist for regular check-ups and cleanings will help prevent gum disease, which can progress and compromise your jawbone in time if left untreated.

The Benefits of Dental Implants Are Amazing

As you can see, there are many benefits of dental implants which is why so many people opt for them to replace their missing teeth. It’s even possible to give implants to patients who have lost all of their teeth, as long as they are good candidates for the treatment.

Are you missing one or more teeth? Would you like to find out if you’re a good candidate for a dental implant procedure? Contact us to schedule an appointment in our San Diego office.

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