Benefits of Dental Implants for Your Missing Teeth

If you’re missing one or more of your natural teeth, getting them replaced is important. Not only do our teeth help us chew and speak properly, but missing teeth can cause the neighboring teeth to shift and fill in the space, which can lead to crooked or gapped teeth.

You have options when it comes to replacing your natural tooth, and one of the best restorative dentistry choices available today is a dental implant.

A dental implant consists of a titanium or ceramic anchor that’s placed in your jawbone during a procedure and allowed to heal. Then, once the implant is healed, a porcelain ceramic dental crown is placed on the end, which will complete the process.

Dental implants are quickly becoming one of the most popular replacements for missing teeth, and with good reason. Here are the top benefits of dental implants for your missing teeth!

More Secure Than Other Types of Restorations

One of the best benefits of a dental implant is that, unlike other types of dental restorations, the implant part may never need to be replaced. Once the implant heals and fuses with your jawbone, it should stay put and may not require any additional maintenance or procedures other then routine cleanings.

The same can’t be said for tooth replacement options such as dentures and dental bridges, which need to be replaced every few years. Dental implants are designed to be a permanent and comfortable replacement to your natural teeth.

You will need to maintain the dental crown part of your implant, but with the right care from your dentist in Asheville, most crowns can last several years and even up to 15 years or more!

Dental Implants Help Regrow Jawbone

Since dental implants fuse with your jawbone, they help regenerate bone growth where your missing tooth was. Why is this important?

When you lose one of your permanent teeth, the body compensates for this loss by essentially absorbing bone in that area. Your tooth roots stimulate jawbone, keeping it strong and healthy. When a tooth is missing, there’s no longer essentially a need for this bone, and the bone where the missing tooth was can begin to degenerate over time.

This bone loss can lead to a sagging or sunken appearance in the face. However, dental implants combat this symptom of tooth loss they actually help to not only prevent the bone loss that comes with missing teeth, but regrow jawbone to support a full and youthful facial appearance!

Provide Better Functionality

On account of how secure and durable they are, dental implants allow you to eat, speak, and smile with confidence. They are highly functional and sturdy, allowing you to do and eat all the things you did before with your natural tooth.

Dental implants are also less likely to be damaged than other types of dental restorations, and they cannot get cavities however, you will still need to care for them with proper oral care habits to keep them strong and healthy!

Look Just Like Your Natural Teeth

Dental implants are indistinguishable from your natural teeth, as your dentist in Asheville will create the dental crown to perfectly match your remaining teeth.

Your dental crown is sturdy and will resist staining, and, with the right care, will look great just like the rest of your teeth for years to come.

While there’s no special cleaning routine you need for your dental implant, you do need to take care of them like your natural teeth. This includes brushing, flossing, and visiting your Asheville dentist for regular checkups and to ensure your crown is healthy!

Keep Your Teeth Healthy

Some restoration options such as dental bridges require that the adjacent teeth be prepared by removing a bit of tooth enamel to support the bridge. However, dental implants leave your neighboring teeth unaffected and healthy.

With dental implants, your gum tissue won’t be bothered by the metal framework of dentures that need to be removed at night. Dental implants are often considered the most natural replacement to your missing teeth and won’t negatively affect the rest of your smile!

Dental Implants Give You Options

If you’re missing numerous teeth, you have flexibility when it comes to replacing them with dental implants. Instead of getting a dental implant for each individual tooth, you may be able to go for all-on-four dental implants, which only require that a few implants be placed to support a natural-looking replica of your teeth that’s permanently attached to the implants.

You may also have the option of getting what’s called an implant-supported bridge, in which dental implants support a dental bridge without the need for affecting the neighboring teeth. Your dentist can let you know more about what options you qualify for during your consultation!

Best Value for Your Tooth Replacement

Because they possibly never need to be replaced, dental implants are considered the best value when it comes to replacing your missing teeth. The only maintenance you need besides keeping your smile clean and healthy is to keep up with your dental crown, which can be checked during your regular cleanings.

Dental implants are a better return on your investment than some other types of restorative dentistry that need to be replaced every few years, and can save you money in restorative dentistry maintenance in the long run!

Do You Qualify for Dental Implants?

The only way to know for sure if you qualify for dental implants is to get an evaluation with your Asheville dentist. You will need to have enough existing bone in your jaw to support the implant, so in general, the sooner you can get your missing tooth replaced, the better!

However, you may have the option of getting a bone graft so that you will qualify for a dental implant. We can discuss all this with you and more during your appointment with us at Saunders DDS.

Revitalize your smile with dental implants at Saunders DDS in Asheville. Book your consultation today for natural-looking, permanent solutions.