What You Need to Know About the Benefits of Dental Implants 

Dental implants are a state-of-the-art option that allow patients to replace missing teeth with ones that look, feel and perform like natural teeth. If you are missing a tooth, restore your smile today with a long-lasting dental implant from Stonebrook Family Dental. 

A revolutionary way that we approach the problem of missing teeth is through dental implants. Did you know that over 178 million Americans have or have had a missing tooth? Missing teeth can be a common ailment that affects adults, however, with our help at Stonebrook Family Dental you don’t have to go without a full set of teeth. 

Risks of Living with Missing Teeth

We are meant to have a full mouth of teeth to help us with day-to-day tasks like talking and eating. Missing one or more teeth can be far more than just a cosmetic inconvenience. There are also dental health consequences to missing teeth. For example, if you’re missing teeth, you have to compromise how you eat. You will have to stop eating hard foods and alter the way you chew. Further, without a tooth root to secure, your jaw bone will start to shrink and become weak, which will then result in your cheeks and lips to sag. 

What are Dental Implants? 

The best option for replacing missing teeth is dental implants. Not only are they natural looking, strong, and secure, but they are also even stronger than a natural tooth would be. 

A dental implant is a small post that is commonly made of titanium and acts as a substitute for the root of the tooth. An abutment, also known as a connector, is placed onto the top of the implant, which then connects it to the replacement tooth. To end the process, a crown, the replacement tooth, is custom made to match your natural teeth, completing the dental implant. 

Dental Implant Benefits 

These implants are durable and lifelike, and will make it so you don’t have to worry about your tooth for years to come. Generally, the implant will last anywhere from 10 to 20 years depending on how well you care for them. Other benefits of these implants include that they:

• Act like natural teeth: implants will restore full chewing power without feeling any different than your natural teeth. You will be able to eat, brush your teeth, and floss normally. 
• Prevent bone loss: when there is no tooth, the jaw bone in the empty space will begin to deteriorate due to lack of stimulation. Within a year of not replacing a missing tooth, the bone area can lose 25% of its volume and will continue losing volume until the whole is filled. 
• Keep adjacent teeth stable. The whole from the missing tooth can also affect the teeth nearby by causing them to shift towards the gap. This will pull your teeth out of position and can affect your bite, how you eat, and how you look. 
• Prevent gum disease: a whole where a tooth once was can cause food and bacteria to get trapped. This can lead to gum disease. An implant can help prevent this from accumulating, stopping gum disease. 
• Stop premature facial sagging and premature aging. Facial sagging can be a common result of having a missing tooth. This is where the lower third of the face begins to collapse, gradually closing the distance between the tip of the nose and chin. The end result will be excess wrinkles, thinning lips, and a pointed chin, resulting in the person looking older than they are. 

Caring for Dental Implants 

Even though an implant is not a real tooth, it still needs proper care. The better you take care of your implant, the longer it will last. You should continue to brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day, floss once each day, and visit your dentist every six months for an exam and thorough cleaning. 

Your Implant Consultation with Stonebrook Family Dental

When you come in to learn more about dental implants, Dr. Kevin Varley will discuss this option with you and determine if you are a good candidate for the treatment. The best candidates are those with healthy gums and adequate bone support and density. Further, if you are not committed to excellent oral hygiene, you will likely not be a good candidate for implants. 

Dr. Varley and our team at Stonebrook Family Dental will carefully assess your situation and concerns and let you know if we believe implants are the best option to restore your smile. To make an appointment for an implant consultation, call us today at (303)-872-7907.