Dental Implant Benefits: What Implant Patients Should Know
When considering dental implants as a tooth replacement option, there are various benefits to know. By replacing missing teeth, you’re not only improving your smile appearance but also preventing further oral health conditions from developing. If you’ve experienced tooth loss, our Bakersfield implant dentist, Dr. Jonathan Garger, explains how dental implants can improve your quality of life. Call Gentle Family Dentistry, your Bakersfield dental practice today at 661-664-9900 to schedule an appointment.
Top Benefits of Dental Implants
Prevents Bone Loss
One of the most significant benefits of dental implants is that they prevent bone loss. When a tooth is missing, the jawbone in that area deteriorates, leading to other problems. During a dental implant procedure, the implant is surgically placed in the jawbone and fuses with the bone over time, providing a strong and stable foundation for the replacement tooth. Successful dental implant placement also preserves the integrity of the jawbone and prevents further bone loss.
Improved Self-Esteem
A dental implant can significantly improve self-esteem and confidence by replacing missing teeth and restoring a patient’s natural appearance. Missing teeth or gaps in the smile can cause embarrassment and self-consciousness, leading to a decrease in self-esteem. Dental implants provide a permanent solution to missing teeth that look and function like natural teeth, helping create an improved appearance and better quality of life.
Looks, Feels, and Acts Like Natural Teeth
Known as the best dental restorative option, dental implants look, feel, and act like natural teeth. They mimic the natural tooth from root and crown and are custom-made to match the shape, size, and color of the nearby teeth, making them virtually indistinguishable from your natural, neighboring teeth. This means that people won’t be able to tell that you have dental implants, and you can feel confident when you smile.
Restores Bite Force
Dental implants also restore bite force, allowing you to eat the foods you love without discomfort or difficulty. Dentures and dental bridges can affect your ability to bite and chew certain foods, but dental implants are anchored securely in the jawbone and provide a stable base for the artificial tooth, allowing you to enjoy a wide variety of foods without restrictions.
Easy to Care for
Dental implants are also easy to maintain. They don’t require special care and can be brushed and flossed like natural teeth. Remember to maintain good oral hygiene to keep the implant and the surrounding teeth healthy, but there’s no need for any additional care or maintenance. With dental implant surgery success rates sitting around 95 percent, you’ll have a long-lasting tooth replacement as long as you care for them properly.
Can Last a Lifetime
Dental implants are also a long-term dental restoration option. They’re designed to last a lifetime with proper care and maintenance. While the new tooth implant is made of biocompatible materials designed to fuse with the jawbone, the replacement tooth that’s attached to the jawbone below the implant may need to be replaced or restored over time, but the implant post itself can last a lifetime.
Improves Speech and Eating Abilities
Dental implants can also improve speech and eating abilities. Dentures can slip loose and move in the mouth, causing difficulty with speech and eating. Dental implants, however, are anchored securely in the jawbone, providing a stable base for the replacement tooth, which can improve speech and eating abilities.
Improves Oral Health
Dental implants can improve oral health. When a tooth is missing, it can lead to other problems with adjacent teeth, including shifting, bite problems, and jawbone deterioration. Dental implants prevent these problems by filling the gap left by the missing tooth and preserving the integrity of adjacent teeth and the jawbone.
Durable
Dental implants are also highly durable. They’re made of biocompatible materials designed to fuse with the jawbone, providing a strong and stable foundation for the replacement tooth. They’re also resistant to tooth decay and periodontal disease, making them an excellent option for people looking for a long-term solution for healthy teeth.
No Slipping As They’re Non-Removable
Dental implants are non-removable, which means they won’t slip or move in the mouth. They’re anchored securely in the jawbone, providing a stable base for the replacement tooth. This eliminates the discomfort, pain, and embarrassment of the loose false teeth of traditional dentures, which can slip and move in the mouth.
Enhanced Nutrition and Digestion
Dental implants can improve overall health by allowing patients to chew food more thoroughly, leading to better digestion and nutrient absorption. This benefit goes beyond just restoring bite force, as it directly impacts overall health and well-being.
Prevention of Premature Aging
Dental implants help maintain facial structure by preventing bone loss in the jaw. This can help avoid the sunken appearance often associated with missing teeth, effectively preserving a more youthful facial appearance.
Long-Term Cost-Effectiveness
Dental implants can be a cost-effective solution in the long run. Unlike dentures or bridges that may need frequent replacements, implants are designed to last a lifetime with proper care, potentially reducing long-term dental expenses.
Versatility in Tooth Replacement
Implants offer remarkable versatility as they can be used to replace any number of missing teeth – from a single tooth to a full arch, and can support different types of restorations including individual crowns, multi-tooth bridges, or full denture sets. For full-mouth restoration, patients can choose between individual implants for each tooth or strategic placement of fewer implants to support a full arch of teeth (like All-on-4 or All-on-6 techniques).
Adjacent Tooth Preservation
Traditional bridges require grinding down the healthy teeth on either side of the gap to serve as anchors for the bridge. Dental implants, however, are self-supporting and integrate directly with the jawbone, leaving neighboring healthy teeth completely untouched and preserving their long-term strength and integrity.
Freedom From Adhesives
Dental implants eliminate the hassle of using denture adhesives, as they’re permanently fixed in place through osseointegration with the jawbone. This not only saves time and money spent on adhesive products but also prevents the unpleasant taste and texture that denture adhesives can leave in the mouth.
Frequently Asked Questions
While the benefits of dental implants tend to outweigh the drawbacks, dental implants do require a surgical procedure. However, the complication rate for dental surgeries is around five percent. Risks of implant surgery include:
- Infection
- Implant failure
- Damage to other teeth
- Delayed healing
- Nerve damage
Absolutely! Dental implants offer numerous life-changing benefits. They restore full chewing power, allowing you to eat your favorite foods without restrictions. They provide enhanced comfort and stability compared to traditional dentures, eliminating issues like slippage or discomfort. Moreover, implants boost self-confidence by creating a natural-looking smile and preventing the embarrassment associated with missing teeth.
No, a titanium dental implant rarely sets off metal detectors. Titanium is a non-magnetic metal, so you shouldn’t worry about setting off a metal detector with your implants.
No, dental implants don’t get cavities. Since they’re made from titanium, they’re resistant to tooth decay. Just make sure you’re maintaining good oral health so your implants last as long as possible and your natural teeth get the proper care they need.
Experience the Benefits of Dental Implants, Call Today!
To learn more about the many benefits of dental implants and if you’re a candidate for dental implants, contact Dr. Garger today. If you’re located in Bakersfield, or surrounding areas such as Gosford, Alameda, and Lakeview, CA, contact our dentist today to set up your dental implant consultation at 661-664-9900.
We can’t wait to help you transform your smile and quality of life.