Health benefits of dental implants explained by a Greenville, SC dentist
If you are facing tooth loss, you may be considering the various tooth replacement options that are available to determine which is best for you. Fortunately, gone are the days when dentures or unnatural-looking bridges were the only available tooth replacement solution. Thanks to advances in dentistry in recent years, guests now have more options than ever before. Dental implants are considered the “gold standard” for replacing lost teeth, and for good reason. Below, the health benefits of dental implants and their other advantages are explained by Greenville dentist Dr. John Palmer.
How dental implants work
To understand how dental implants, benefit your oral health, it is first necessary to know how they work because many of the health benefits of dental implants arise from the innovative way in which they replace your tooth. A tooth consists of two major structures: the crown, which is the portion that appears above the gum line, and the root, which is the portion beneath the gum line that helps anchor the tooth in place in the jawbone.
When a tooth is lost, both the crown and root structures are removed from your mouth, so tooth replacement options such as dentures and bridges that only replace the crown portion of the tooth cannot fully replicate the natural function and stability of the lost tooth. With dental implants, however, an implant post is surgically placed into your jawbone to replicate the natural root of the tooth, where it fuses with the jawbone as it heals during a process called osseointegration. Then a tooth restoration such as a porcelain crown is placed on top of the implant to replace the crown portion of the lost tooth. The result is a replacement tooth that not only looks like a normal, healthy tooth, but also has the strength, stability, and function of one because of its integration with the jawbone.
Health benefits of dental implants
Dental implants can not only restore the function of a lost tooth but protect the health of your mouth and body in the process.
When a tooth is lost, the jawbone in that area naturally deteriorates over time because it no longer sustains the bone-retaining forces of biting and chewing, which keep the bone healthy in a normal tooth. With a dental implant, these forces are once again placed on the tooth and root, which stimulate the jawbone to keep it healthy.
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In addition, a dental implant only impacts the gap where the single tooth that was lost – the dentist leaves the other tissues and teeth in your mouth alone so they can remain fully functioning and healthy. For example, dental bridges require the filing and shaping of adjacent healthy teeth so crowns can be placed to anchor the bridge in place, and dentures cover up the soft tissues of your mouth, which can lead to irritation, sores, and bacterial growth. With a dental implant, however, the post is simply placed in the bone in the location where the tooth is lost and the crown above the surface replicates a single natural tooth. This also means that you can better brush and floss in the area that you have the dental implant, versus other tooth replacement options that may make it difficult to adequately clean between teeth or along the gumline. This translates into healthier teeth and gums in the long-term, and less time in the dental chair.
Other benefits of dental implants
In addition to the health benefits described above, many guests love dental implants for the following reasons:
- You can continue to eat all your favorite foods and beverages with no restrictions due to the unparalleled stability offered by dental implants
- Implants are anchored firmly in place in the jaw, which means no possibility of slipping or falling out or uncomfortable rubbing against the gums like with dentures
- With proper oral health care, implants can last your lifetime, whereas other types of dental restorations typically need to be replaced over time
- Implants look and feel the most like a natural tooth
Learn whether implants are right for you in a personalized consultation
If you are interested in learning more about dental implants and whether they are right for you, we encourage you to call Palmer Distinctive Dentistry in Greenville, SC today to schedule a personalized consultation. New guests can reach our office at (864) 879-6494 and existing guests can call (864) 552-1125 . We look forward to helping you restore your beautiful smile!
