The Smile-Changing Power of Dental Implants

In the United States alone, the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) reports that 3 million people have dental implants and that number is growing by 500,000 a year. Dental implants represent one of the greatest advances in the dental industry in decades. They are stronger than natural teeth and when properly taken care of, can last for decades. Learn how dental implants can help you or a loved one achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.

Tooth Decay Leads to Tooth Loss

Did you know that tooth decay is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases among children and adults? Not only is it a problem in the United States, but it is a problem worldwide. A study by the CDC National Institutes of Health found that approximately 91% of U.S. adults under age 65 have tooth decay. The amount of people with tooth decay increases (up to 96%) in people older than 65 and tooth loss becomes more common. You may also know tooth decay by the names of “dental caries” or “cavities”. If you’ve ever had a cavity in your life, then you have experienced tooth decay.

When visiting the dentist, you may actually be surprised to find that you have a cavity. Tooth decay silently damages your tooth until the point where a dentist catches the decay or you start to have pain and sensitivity. When you eat, sugars in the foods or drinks you consume mix with bacteria in your mouth. You have good bacteria in your mouth that helps break down food, and you have bad bacteria in your mouth that breaks down your teeth. The mixture of sugar and bacteria forms plaque, which is a sticky, acidic substance that erodes your tooth enamel. If enough erosion happens, plaque gets inside your tooth and decays it. This is how a cavity forms and why brushing and flossing your teeth several times a day is so important.

Missing Teeth

If tooth decay becomes severe enough, it can lead to you losing your tooth or having to have a root canal. A root canal is the last-ditch effort in avoiding losing your tooth, but it is not always an option for patients with severe decay in a tooth. About 178 million Americans have or have had a missing tooth. Around 40 million Americans are missing all of their teeth. That’s a lot of missing teeth! Missing a tooth or two can be more than just a cosmetic inconvenience. If you are missing one or more teeth, you have to stop or reduce eating hard foods and change the way you chew.

The way you talk will be affected as your gums progressively recede. Without a tooth root to secure, your jaw bone will start to shrink and weaken, causing your cheeks and lips to eventually sag. Nobody wants the negative effects of missing even one tooth! With today’s technology, you can restore your smile once more no matter if you are missing one tooth or several!

How Dental Implants Work

Dental implants are the best option for replacing missing teeth as they are natural looking, strong and secure. In many cases, dental implants are stronger than your natural teeth and can last for many years. Once you have lost a tooth to decay or injury, you have a space that needs to be filled.

To fill that space, we start with placing a titanium post into your jawbone. This post will secure the tooth in your mouth and will heal into your jawbone. Placing the post will be at your first appointment. After your mouth has healed in that area, we will place a prosthetic tooth into the post where it will stay for many years. Dental implants take up 2 appointments for many people, but they may only take up one appointment depending on your oral health. Even though a dental implant is not a real tooth, you still need to care for it as if it was one. Plus, the better you take care of your implant, the longer it will last.

Dental Implants Transform Your Smile

Dental implants can completely transform your smile into something beautiful and healthy. Some of the benefits include:

• They last between 10 and 20 years
• Are stronger than natural teeth
• Restore and preserve facial structure
• Stop the progression of bone loss and gum recession
• Help remaining teeth stay in place
• Normalize chewing and speaking abilities
• Provide a permanent solution for tooth loss
• Create a secure base for bridgework
• Secure dentures without the hassle of glues
• Are preferred over bridges because they don’t rely on neighboring teeth

Improve Your Smile Today

Losing a tooth can be hard. You can lose a tooth over time through tooth decay, or you can lose one through a sports accident or other incident. When you do lose a tooth—no matter the cause—you can still have an amazing smile. Dental implants can replace the teeth you’ve lost and restore your smile once more. With your missing-tooth problem out of the way, dental implants greatly improve your health. They put you on the road to better speech, better nutrition and improved confidence with a complete smile. If you would like to know more about dental implants and see if they are right for you, call Stonebrook Family Dental today at (303) 872-7907!