Missing teeth can be seriously disruptive, affecting how you eat, talk, and smile. Sadly, this issue is pretty common. Approximately 69% of adults in the United States have lost at least one permanent tooth, requiring dental restorations like a dental implant in Boca Raton to restore their smile.
Nowadays, there are several restorative dentistry options to help you recover your full smile. However, implants offer unparalleled benefits that make them a popular choice in most cases. We created this article to help you understand the difference this treatment can make for you.
What Is a Dental Implant?
Dental implants are a common surgical tooth replacement option. They consist of a screw-like titanium post inserted into your jawbone to serve as an artificial tooth root. A fake tooth or dental crown is attached on top. Artificial teeth like bridges and dentures can also be connected to fully restore your bite.
Dental implant placement may require a few procedures and several months of healing. Once it heals, you can enjoy a reliable dental restoration. Implants offer stability and durability like a natural tooth does. With proper care, it can last a lifetime. By replacing your missing tooth, implants can fill in the gaps in your smile, improve chewing function, and enhance your oral health.
However, some benefits are unique to implant dentistry, so let’s review them.
Durability
Dental implants are a go-to option for replacing missing teeth because they’re highly durable and long-lasting. The materials used in implants are biocompatible and adapt well to the environment of your mouth, as evidenced by the success rate of over 97% for patients who have had them for ten years.
In comparison, bridges typically require replacement every 5 to 15 years, while complete dentures typically last 10.1 years.
Prevents Bone Loss
Dental implants may avoid bone loss after tooth loss. When teeth are lost, the jawbone loses the frequent stimulation provided by teeth, fostering the bone resorption process.
Additionally, this process proceeds swiftly: within the first six months following tooth loss, 30% of the alveolar ridge is lost. Fortunately, implants can reduce the rate of bone resorption, preserving and restoring lost alveolar ridge.
Natural Look and Feel
To replicate the appearance and feel of a natural tooth, dentists place a customized crown on top of the implant, which may be more comfortable than other options like dentures. Additionally, implants prevent the loss of jawbone following tooth loss, which can alter the shape of your face, resulting in changes like:
- Sagging skin
- Collapsed cheeks
- Sunken appearance
- Bite misalignment
Dental implants may help prevent these changes by maintaining the structural integrity of your jaw and halting bone loss.
Keeps Adjacent Teeth Stable
Your bite and chewing ability may suffer if a tooth is lost because the neighboring teeth may move toward the gap. An implant can bridge the space between them and maintain their health by keeping your neighboring teeth from drifting.
Enhance Your Oral Health with a Dental Implant in Boca Raton
Dental implants are a unique dental restoration. Unlike other options, they are highly durable, natural-looking, and even protect your jawbone from density loss. Nevertheless, preventing missing teeth is always more effective than treating them.
Tooth decay is one of the leading factors in tooth loss. Fortunately, you can prevent this issue by maintaining good oral hygiene habits, fostering a healthy diet, and visiting the dentist at Great Boca Smiles regularly. If you’re due for a dental check-up, contact us today for a thorough assessment!
