5 Incredible Benefits of Dental Implants
If you are a resident of North Hollywood, CA, who is looking for the best treatment option for the replacement of one or more missing teeth, you should strongly consider dental implants. Implants have exploded in popularity in recent years because they offer a superior treatment choice to alternatives like dentures and dental bridges for the vast majority of patients. In just two dental appointments, you can have a permanent solution to missing teeth.
What is it about dental implants that makes them the gold standard in dental care for replacing missing teeth? Read on to learn about some of the amazing benefits of the technology behind implants and what is involved if you would like to receive them yourself.
What is a dental implant?
An implant is an artificial replacement for a missing tooth that involves three parts: a metal post, an abutment and a dental crown. The abutment component is placed over the metal post, allowing a dental crown to be placed on top to serve as both a chewing surface and an aesthetic replacement for a natural tooth.
How are dental implant procedures performed?
Most implant procedures require two visits to your dentist. In the first, your dentist will place a titanium metal post into your jawbone. Over the next few months, your jawbone will fuse to this post. At a subsequent appointment, an abutment will be placed onto the post, followed by a dental crown.
Benefits of Dental Implants:
- Durability
Dental implants are known for being extremely durable and long lasting. Dentures do not normally last longer than 10 years. Bridges typically fail after one decade of use. If you care for your dental implant correctly, you can expect it to last for a lifetime.
- Fixed Treatment Option
Dentures make a fine choice for many patients, but they have a tendency to slip within the mouth, leading to problems with chewing and speaking. In contrast, dental implants are firmly affixed within your jawbone. They will not shift or budge. They provide a firm foundation to allow you to chew your food normally, just as you would with your natural teeth.
- Implants Prevent Bone Loss
Dental implants are the next best thing to your natural teeth. Without the presence of a tooth root, your jawbone will begin melting away. Known as resorption, this process can even affect your facial contours, causing the surrounding area to collapse in on the empty space.
When it comes to bone density, your body doesn’t know the difference between an artificial implant and a natural tooth. Your jawbone will fuse around your new implant, which will provide a strong and stable foundation for biting and chewing your food.
- Dental Implants Prevent Shifting
Some patients are surprised to learn that their surrounding teeth tend to begin shifting into the empty spaces left by missing teeth. This can really take a toll on your beautiful smile, as gaps are created between teeth. Implants help to “take up the slack” by filling in this space, preventing the shifting of surrounding teeth into it.
- No Special Maintenance Required
Since your new dental implant is permanent, you will be caring for it as you would with your natural teeth. You will still regularly brush your teeth and floss. But unlike dentures or bridges, you will not need to learn any special cleaning techniques or change your normal cleaning routine.
Schedule Your Dental Implants Consultation
Are you a North Hollywood, CA, resident who is looking for an outstanding solution for one or more missing teeth?
Please reach out to your dentist today to schedule your consultation and enhance the appearance of your teeth and smile with dental implants.